Thoracentesis in patients with hematologic malignancy: yield and safety

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusions occur in patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly during periods of hospitalization. Thoracentesis is often performed to diagnose infection and to exclude the presence of complicated parapneumonic effusions. The efficacy and safety of thoracentesis in this setting has not been well-studied. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing thoracentesis. The aim of this study was to assess the role of thoracentesis in establishing a diagnosis of infection in this population and to determine the risk of complications. RESULTS: A total of 100 thoracentesis findings were analyzed in patients with lymphoma (52 patients) and leukemia (27 patients), and in patients who had undergone bone marrow or stem cell transplantation (21 patients). The indication for performing thoracentesis was to exclude infection in 69% of cases. Fever was present in 59% of the patients, and a concomitant lung parenchymal abnormality was present in 69% of cases. Effusions were moderate to large in size (87% of cases), and were both bilateral (62%) and unilateral (38%). Exudates were documented in 83%of the cases. A specific diagnosis was found in 21 patients and was more frequently established in those with lymphoma (31%) compared to the other groups of patients. Diagnoses found included malignancy in 14 cases, chylous effusions in 6 cases, and infection in 1 case. The one patient in whom empyema was found required drainage. The criteria for a parapneumonic effusion were not found in any other patients. The complication rate of 9% (pneumothorax, seven patients; hemothorax, two patients) was comparable to that in other populations of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high propensity for developing pulmonary infections, hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies rarely developed complex parapneumonic effusions. The etiology of many of the effusions that occurred in this setting was unclear.     

Crucial Role of CD4+CD 25+ FOXP3+ T Regulatory Cell,Interferon-γ and Interleukin-16 in Malignant and Tuberculous Pleural Effusions

The differential diagnosis between malignant and tuberculous exudative pleural effusions is an important clinical problem. The aim of current study is to evaluate the frequencies of T-regulatory cells (Treg) on the basis of distinct phenotypes in the differential diagnosis between malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion. In addition, to evaluate Interferon-gamma (IFN- γ) and interleukin-16 (IL-16) levels and their correlation to Treg cells in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions. Sixty patients with pleural effusion (26 tuberculous and 34 malignant) and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Pleural fluid and peripheral blood were assessed for frequencies of T regs, IL-16, and IFN-γ. Pleural effusions from both tuberculous and malignant groups represented significantly higher levels (more in TB) for the following cell populations than peripheral blood: total lymphocytes, CD3+lymphocyte, CD4+CD25+lymphocyte and Treg (CD4+ CD25+FoxP3+). Levels of IL-16 and IFN-γ in tuberculous group were significantly higher than that in malignant group. Regulatory T cells, INF-γ and IL-16 are new important tools for differentiation between tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion.     

How a discerning cytological examination can aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases: case reports

Infections caused by uncommon and resistant pathogens in unusual sites have been increasingly reported in medical literature. We describe four cases of rare cytological findings and clinical impact for patients. In the first case, Aspergillus sp and Pneumocystis jirovecii were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage of a patient with severe systemic lupus. In the second and third cases, we describe the presence of Trichomonas sp and Strongyloides sp larvae in samples of pleural and peritoneal fluid, respectively. The fourth report is about a patient with a wrist subcutaneous nodule whose synovial aspiration and cytology revealed the presence of brown septate hyphae. The early identification of the infectious agent in the cytological examination was essential for the introduction and/or re-adaptation of therapy in the four cases described. Patients in this report were immunocompromised with severe comorbidities, conditions often associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes.     

CT-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Pleural Lesions: Evaluating Diagnostic Yield and Associated Complications

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and complications of CT-guided core needle biopsy (CT-guided CNB) of pleural lesion and the possible effects of influencing factors.ResultsDiagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 89.2%, 86.1%, 100%, 100%, and 67.8%, respectively. The influencing factors had no significant effect in altering diagnostic accuracy. As far as complications were concerned, occurrence of pneumothorax was observed in 14 (16%) out of 88 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed lesion size/pleural thickening as a significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR]: 8.744, p = 0.005) for occurrence of pneumothorax. Moreover, presence of pleural effusion was noted as a significant protective factor (OR: 0.171, p = 0.037) for pneumothorax.ConclusionCT-guided CNB of pleural lesion is a safe procedure with high diagnostic yield and low risk of significant complications.     

1.5T磁共振1H-MRS鉴别良恶性胸腔积液的初步研究

目的：探讨磁共振波谱对良、恶性胸腔积液的鉴别诊断价值。方法收集行胸腔穿刺抽液的胸腔积液标本46例,其中原发病确诊为良性者20例（包括肺结核14例、肺炎6例）,原发病确诊为恶性者26例（包括原发性肺癌18例、乳腺癌5例、肝癌2例、胃癌1例）。对胸腔积液标本进行离心处理,然后利用1.5T磁共振对胸腔积液标本进行波谱采集,分析良恶性胸腔积液的波谱特征。结果胸腔积液的波谱图中主要的代谢峰有乳酸、胆碱、肌酸、肌醇及脂质等。主要代谢物波峰下面积比较：乳酸：结核性（5.19±1.31）、炎性（6.08±1.56）和恶性胸腔积液（2.40±0.43）的乳酸峰下面积差异有统计学意义（F=8.45,P<0.01）;胆碱：结核性（2.75±0.91）、炎性（3.27±1.21）和恶性胸腔积液（6.76±1.73）的胆碱峰下面积差异有统计学意义（F=2.98,P<0.01）;肌醇：结核性（2.71±1.19）、炎性（2.25±0.81）和恶性胸腔积液（5.83±2.08）的肌醇峰下面积差异有统计学意义（F=38.49,P<0.01）。结核性和炎性胸腔积液中乳酸（t=-1.04,P＞0.05）、胆碱（t=-0.58,P＞0.05）和肌醇（t=1.19,P＞0.05）波峰下面积差异无统计学意义。结论良、恶性胸腔积液具有不同的波谱特征,利用磁共振波谱对良、恶性胸腔积液进行鉴别具有一定的临床应用价值。     

Ultrasound of the Pleurae and Lungs

The value of ultrasound techniques in examination of the pleurae and lungs has been underestimated over recent decades. One explanation for this is the assumption that the ventilated lungs and the bones of the rib cage constitute impermeable obstacles to ultrasound. However, a variety of pathologies of the chest wall, pleurae and lungs result in altered tissue composition, providing substantially increased access and visibility for ultrasound examination. It is a great benefit that the pleurae and lungs can be non-invasively imaged repeatedly without discomfort or radiation exposure for the patient. Ultrasound is thus particularly valuable in follow-up of disease, differential diagnosis and detection of complications. Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in patients with pathologic pleural and pulmonary findings can tolerably be performed under real-time ultrasound guidance. In this article, an updated overview is given presenting not only the benefits and indications, but also the limitations of pleural and pulmonary ultrasound.     

Incidence of Pleural Effusion in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

Background:

No data on the incidence of pleural effusion (PE) in Chinese patients with pulmonary embolism are available to date. The aim of the current study was to investigate the frequency of PE in a Chinese population of patients with pulmonary embolism.

Methods:

This was a retrospective observational single-center study. All data of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) performed over 6-year period on adult patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism were analyzed.

Results:

From January 2008 until December 2013, PE was identified in 423 of 3141 patients (13.5%) with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism who underwent CTPA. The incidence of PE in patients with pulmonary embolism (19.9%) was significantly higher than in those without embolism (9.4%) (P < 0.001). Majority of PEs in pulmonary embolism patients were small to moderate and were unilateral. The locations of emboli and the numbers of arteries involved, CT pulmonary obstruction index, and parenchymal abnormalities at CT were not associated with the development of PE.

Conclusions:

PEs are present in about one fifth of a Chinese population of patients with pulmonary embolism, which are usually small, unilateral, and unsuitable for diagnostic thoracentesis.     

Combined evaluation of adenosine deaminase level and histopathological findings from pleural biopsy with Cope’s needle for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy

Introduction: Closed needle pleural biopsy (CNPB) has historically been the gold standard procedure for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an efficient biomarker for tuberculosis that is measurable in pleural fluids. Objective: We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the pleural ADA (P-ADA) level and histopathological findings of CNPB specimens in patients with pleural tuberculosis. Methods: This prospective study consisted of two groups of examinations with a proven diagnosis of pleural effusion. The P-ADA level was measured in 218 patients with pleural effusion due to a number of causes, and 157 CNPB specimens underwent histopathological analysis. Results: CNPBs were performed in patients with tuberculosis (n=122) and other diseases: adenocarcinoma (n=23), lymphoma (n=5), systemic lupus erythematosus (n=4), squamous cell carcinoma (n=2), and small cell lung cancer (n=1). According to the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off value of the P-ADA level (Giusti and Galanti colorimetric method) was equal to or greater than 40.0 U/L. The diagnostic accuracy of the P-ADA test was 83.0%, and that of histopathological examination of the CNPB tissue, was 78.8% (AUC=0.293, P=0.7695). The association between the P-ADA assay and pleural histopathology was 24.41 (P<0.0001). The tetrachoric correlation coefficient was 0.563 (high correlation). Conclusion: In Brazil and other countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis, P-ADA activity is an accurate test for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions, and its use should be encouraged. The high diagnostic performance of the P-ADA test could to aid the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis and render CNPB unnecessary.     

恶性胸膜间皮瘤误诊为结核性胸膜炎原因分析

目的分析恶性胸膜间皮瘤(malignant pleural mesothelioma,MPM)的临床特点,以减少误诊。方法对我院收治的1例MPM误诊病例资料进行回顾性分析。结果本例因咳嗽、胸闷、胸痛1个月,加重2周入院。外院胸部CT检查提示左侧胸腔积液,经胸腔积液检查考虑结核性胸膜炎,予诊断性抗结核治疗2周,患者症状逐渐加重,遂转我院。转我院后胸部CT、B超检查均提示左侧大量胸腔积液,血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶48 ng/ml,并结合胸腔镜活检病理及免疫组织化学染色检查确诊为MPM。予培美曲塞二钠联合顺铂化疗,胸腔积液大部分吸收,症状明显好转出院。但11个月后病情恶化死亡。结论临床上对于难以定性的胸腔积液,尤其伴有持续性胸痛者,应高度警惕MPM可能,及早行胸腔镜、CT引导下肺穿刺活检、开胸等检查对确诊有重要意义。     

肿瘤标志物检测在良恶性胸腹水鉴别价值研究

目的 研究肿瘤标志物在良恶性胸腹水的临床鉴别价值.方法 169例恶性胸腹水患者设为恶性腹水组,146例良性胸腹水设为良性组,比较两组胸腹水癌胚抗原(CEA)、甲胎蛋白(AFP)、糖类抗原(CA) 125、CA19-9水平,并对各肿瘤标志物对良恶性胸腹水的诊断进行方法学评价.结果 恶性组的CEA为(139.7-±56.4) ng/mL、AFP为(189.2±45.2) ng/mL、CA125为(314.7±86.2) U/mL、CA19-9为(158.5±24.2) U/mL,浓度均高于良性组,差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05);ROC曲线分析CEA、AFP、CA125以及CA19-9曲线下面积分别为0.811、0.547、0.715和0.769,其对应的诊断切点分别为5.6 ng/mL、63.7 ng/mL、38.9 U/mL和30.4 U/mL;AFP因ROC曲线下面积过低不适于恶性胸腹水的诊断.三种肿瘤标志物单独检测方法学评价的各项指标均以CEA最好,灵敏度为75.7％,特异度为88.6％,联合检测以CEA、CA125以及CA19-9的联合检测效果较好,灵敏度为80.5％,特异度为94.0％.结论 肿瘤标志物联合检测对胸腹水的性质鉴别方面有重要的临床应用价值.