Malignant Pleural Effusion: Presentation,Diagnosis, and Management

Malignant pleural effusions are common in patients with cancer. Most malignant pleural effusions are secondary to metastases to the pleura, most often from lung or breast cancer. The presence of malignant effusion indicates advanced disease and poor survival; in lung cancer, the presence of malignant effusion upstages the cancer to stage 4. Usually presenting as a large, unilateral exudative effusion, most patients with malignant pleural effusion experience dyspnea. Prior to intervention, diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and exclusion of infection should be made. Thoracic imaging is typically performed, with computed tomography considered by many to be the gold standard. Thoracic ultrasound is also useful, particularly if diaphragmatic or pleural thickening and nodularity can be identified. Cytology should then be obtained; this is typically done via pleural fluid aspiration or pleural biopsy. Treatment focuses on palliation and relief of symptoms. Numerous interventions are available, ranging from drainage with thoracentesis or indwelling pleural catheter to more definitive, invasive options such as pleurodesis. There is no clear best approach, and a patient-centered approach should be taken.     

Diagnosis and management of malignant pleural effusions

Abstract:   Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) complicate the clinical course of patients with a broad array of malignancies, which are most often due to lymphomas or carcinomas of the breast, lung, gastrointestinal tract or ovaries. Patients may present with a MPE as the initial manifestation of a cancer or develop an effusion during the advanced phases of a known malignancy. In either circumstance, the median survival after presentation with a MPE is 4 months. Effusions may result from direct pleural invasion (MPE) or indirect effects (paraneoplastic effusions), such as impairment of fluid efflux from the pleural space by lymphatic obstruction or pleural effects of cancer radiation or drug therapy. Because only 50% of patients with cancer who develop a pleural effusion during their clinical course have a MPE, careful evaluation of the effusion to establish its aetiology is required to direct therapy. Management is palliative with interventions directed towards decreasing the volume of intrapleural fluid and the severity of associated symptoms.     

Diagnostic Ability of FDG-PET/CT in the Detection of Malignant Pleural Effusion

We investigated the role of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign pleural effusion.We studied 36 consecutive patients with histologically proven cancer (excluding malignant mesothelioma) who underwent FDG-PET/CT for suspected malignant pleural effusion. Fourteen patients had cytologically proven malignant pleural effusion and the other 22 patients had either negative cytology or clinical follow-up, which confirmed the benign etiology. We examined the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of pleural effusion and the target-to-normal tissue ratio (TNR), calculated as the ratio of the pleural effusion SUVmax to the SUVmean of the normal tissues (liver, spleen, 12th thoracic vertebrae [Th12], thoracic aorta, and spinalis muscle). We also examined the size and density (in Hounsfield units) of the pleural effusion and pleural abnormalities on CT images.TNR (Th12) and increased pleural FDG uptake compared to background blood pool were significantly more frequent in cases with malignant pleural effusion (P < 0.05 for both). The cutoff TNR (Th12) value of >0.95 was the most accurate; the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for this value were 93%, 68%, and 75%, respectively.FDG-PET/CT can be a useful method for the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign pleural effusion.     

Persistent symptomatic pleural effusion following coronary bypass surgery: clinical and histologic features,and treatment

Pleural effusions following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been reported in 65%–89% of the cases. The majority of pleural effusions are left-sided, of little significance, and resolve spontaneously. However, a few pleural effusions require specific therapeutics. We report clinical and pleural histologic features of three patients who had persistent post-CABG pleural effusions and underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). These patients were studied because they had a persistent pleural effusion within the first 2 months after CABG without other identifiable causes. All patients underwent VATS for investigation and management of persistent pleural effusions. Three patients with a mean age of 63.6 ± 8.5 years were studied. The pleural effusion developed 38 ± 11.3 days after CABG (range: 22–46). The median period from CABG to VATS was 80 ± 21.6 days (range: 50–100). In all cases, the pleural effusion was large, and predominated on the left side. Pleural effusions were characterized by an exudative (n = 2) or transudative (n = 1) fluid with lymphocytosis. Histologic examination of pleural biopsies showed a follicular lymphoid hyperplasia involving the pleural serosa and a non-necrotizing granulomatous reaction with a mild inflammatory infiltrate. All patients underwent VATS with intrapleural injection of sclerosing agents. Video-assisted thoracic surgery talc pleurodesis led to symptomatic and radiologic improvement in all patients with a mean follow-up of 16.7 ± 4.5 months. No recurrence of pleural effusion has been observed in any patient. Large pleural effusions can develop in a small proportion of patients after CABG. The mechanism of pleural effusion remains unclear. Video-assisted thoracic surgery could play a significant role in the management of pleural effusion developing after CABG.     

Clinical role of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in patients with lung cancer and suspected malignant pleural effusion

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET-FDG) imaging in detecting metastatic disease involvement of pleura and/or presence of malignant pleural effusion in patients with proven lung cancer. We wanted to compare efficacy of PET-FDG imaging to CT scanning in differentiating benign pleural effusion from malignant effusion and/or pleural involvement in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: We studied 35 patients with biopsy-proven lung cancer and abnormal findings on CT scanning for presence of pleural effusion (n = 34) and/or pleural thickening or nodular involvement (n = 4). The results of positron emission tomography and CT scanning were compared to pleural cytology (n = 31), histologic findings of pleural biopsy (n = 3), and/or clinical follow-up (n = 3) for at least 1 year for presence or absence of malignant pleural effusion. RESULTS: PET-FDG imaging correctly detected the presence of malignant pleural effusion and malignant pleural involvement in 16 of 18 patients and excluded malignant effusion or pleural metastatic involvement in 16 of 17 patients (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 88.8%, 94.1%, and 91.4% respectively). CONCLUSION: PET-FDG imaging is a highly accurate and reliable noninvasive test to differentiate malignant from benign pleural effusion and/or pleural involvement in patients with lung cancer and findings of suspected malignant pleural effusion on CT scanning.     

A case of multiple pleural cryptococcosis without pleural effusion

Pulmonary cryptococcosis is most likely to occur in immunocompromised patients. The radiological manifestations generally include pulmonary parenchymal lesions, namely, pulmonary nodules, cavitary lesions, and consolidation; thus, multiple pleural nodules are unusual presentation. Here, we report a woman who presented with multiple pleural cryptococcosis without pleural effusion. The patient had previously undergone surgery for stage II rectal cancer. In addition, she received 6 cycles of chemotherapy for follicular lymphoma. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple small nodules involving the pleura without pleural effusion, which suggested possible recurrence of rectal cancer or malignant lymphoma as pleural dissemination. Thoracoscopic examination was performed, and pleural cryptococcosis was diagnosed. Although pleural cryptococcosis without pleural effusion is extremely rare presentation, clinicians should consider it when an immunocompromised patient presents with multiple pleural nodules. Thoracoscopic exploration should be the best procedure for the definitive diagnosis of multiple pleural nodules.     

A rapid response of lung squamous cell carcinoma following treatment with sintilimab combined with recombinant humane endostatin injection and nab-paclitaxel in an elderly patient: A case report

Rationale:At present, the prognosis of patients with giant lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is poor, and there is no safe and effective treatment for elderly patients with large LSCC.Patient concerns:Here, we reported a 77-year-old man admitted to the hospital with cough for 3 months and significant chest pain. Computed tomography (CT) imaging showed a large mass in the left lung with pleural effusion.Diagnoses:Chest CT scan revealed a 12.5 cm × 7.3 cm mass in the left upper lobe adjacent to the pulmonary vein, with left pleural effusion. Pulmonary tumor markers were significantly elevated, and CT-guided percutaneous lung mass biopsy specimens showed LSCC.Interventions:After diagnosis, the patient was treated with sintilimab combined with endostar and nab-paclitaxel. After 2 cycles of treatment, the lung mass in the patient shrank rapidly and the clinical symptoms were relieved.Outcomes:The patient''s tumor dramatically shrank, and the pleural effusion was decreased after 4 cycles of treatment without any adverse effects. Meanwhile, the high-level tumor marker resumed normal.Lessons:Sintilimab combined with endostar and nab-paclitaxel may be a good treatment option for lung squamous cell cancer, especially for that in elderly patients.     

The efficacy and safety of intrapleural hyperthermic perfusion in patients with malignant pleural effusion undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery: a single-arm clinical trial

BackgroundPatients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) are usually treated with an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) or pleurodesis. However, most do not achieve a satisfactory control rate of pleural effusion and have poor prognosis. Distilled water has cytocidal effects of hypotonic shock and can result in the lysis of cancer cells which was used in surgery to eradicate cancer cells. However, there is no study focusing on the efficacy of intrapleural hyperthemic perfusion for MPE under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This study explored the efficacy and safety of intrapleural hyperthermic perfusion (IHP) with distilled water in patients with MPE.MethodsIn this retrospective, single-arm trial, patients admitted to department of cardiothoracic surgery of Taizhou hospital and diagnosed with MPE caused by non-small cell lung cancer from January 2014 and December 2018 were included. The clinical characteristics including age, gender smoking history, Karnofsky score, volume of pleural effusion, TNM cancer stage, pathology, genetic test of patients were collected. Patients were treated with hyperthermic perfusion. The pleural cavity was perfused with 43.0 ℃ distilled water for 60 minutes under video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The efficacy of treatment was defined as follows: (I) complete remission (CR; no recurrence of pleural effusion after IHP for at least four weeks); (II) partial remission (PR; pleural effusion was decreased by 50% and the condition lasted for 4 weeks; or (III) no remission (NR; no decrease in pleural effusion). Kaplan-Meier method with a log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to perform univariate and multivariate analysesResultsFrom January 2014 through December 2018, 30 patients with MPE caused by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with hyperthermic perfusion. There were no serious reportable clinical complications associated with the procedure. The response rate was 96.7%, with 63.3% experiencing PR and 33.3% achieving CR. The overall survival (OS) ranged from 2 to 46 months. The median survival was 12 months.ConclusionsIHP proved to be a feasible and safe strategy for patients with MPE in our study but it still needs to be verified with a larger, prospective and randomized trial in the future.     

Prolonged pleural catheters in the management of pleural effusions due to breast cancer

Background

Breast cancer is the second most common etiologic cause in malignant pleural effusions (MPE). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of long term pleural catheters in inducing self sclerosis in pleural effusions of breast cancer patients.

Methods

In this study, 26 patients with breast cancer relapleural effusions that occurred between January 2011 and July 2013, who were considered not to undergo any other treatments and managed with prolonged pleural catheters (Jackson-Pratt silicone flat drain), were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty pleural catheters were inserted in 26 patients. All patients were female, mean age was 52 (range, 37-66) years old. Drainage over 1,500 mL per day was not allowed in order to avoid a lung edema. The catheters were removed in patients who had restoration of lung expansion and drainage under 50 mL/day.

Results

The histologic subtypes in pleural effusions were invasive ductal carcinoma in 18 patients, ductal carcinoma in situ in 4, invasive lobular carcinoma in 2, tubular carcinoma in 1, and medullary carcinoma in 1. Three of the 26 patients underwent bilateral catheter insertion, and one patient underwent a reinsertion of the catheter into the same hemithorax due to a recurrence. The catheters were retained for a mean period of 18 days (range, 11-38 days). In one patient with invasive ductal carcinoma and paramalignant pleural effusion (PMPE) (3.8%), a recurrent pleural effusion was seen 34 days after removal of the catheter. There were no complications. One patient died while the catheter was in place.

Conclusions

Prolonged catheters for the management of pleural effusions in selected patients have become more popular than other treatment alternatives due to a shorter length of stay and lower costs. We recommend the use of Jackson Pratt (JP) silicone flat drains which in our opinion provide effective pleurodesis in addition to easy application in recurrent effusions caused by breast cancer.     

Rapidly recurring massive pleural effusion as the initial presentation of sarcoidosis: A case report

Rationale:Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease with unknown etiology. It affects mainly the lungs, but it can affect almost any other organ. Nevertheless, pleural involvement with the development of pleural effusion is relatively rare. It is usually mild and responsive to treatment with systemic steroids. Here we present a case of rapidly recurring massive unilateral pleural effusion caused by sarcoidosis that was resistant to systemic steroids.Patient concerns:A 55-year-old lady presented with shortness of breath of 2-months duration. No other respiratory symptoms were reported. On physical examination, there were signs of left-sided pleural effusion, splenomegaly, and inguinal lymph nodes. These findings were confirmed by chest x-ray showing massive pleural effusion. Work up of the effusion revealed an exudative effusion with lymphocyte predominance. Pan-computed tomography scan revealed multiple thoracic, abdominal and inguinal lymphadenopathy; additionally, a left-sided pleural effusion and an enlarged spleen; that contained variable hypodense nodular lesions. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed intense uptake in the spleen and the lymph nodes. Inguinal lymph node biopsy showed non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Due to suspicion of malignancy, left medical thoracoscopy was done, and biopsy of the parietal pleura showed nonspecific inflammation without evidence of malignancy or tuberculosis.Diagnosis:Sarcoidosis was diagnosed based on the finding of the non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with no evidence of malignancy or infection on several microbiological and pathological samples.Interventions:The patient was treated with repeated pleural fluid drainage. Steroids failed to prevent pleural effusion recurrence. Surgical left side pleurodesis was eventually performed.Outcomes:At more than 1 year follow up, the patient showed no recurrence of pleural effusion or development of any other symptoms.Lessons:Sarcoidosis may rarely present with massive pleural effusion, as this presentation is rare; it is imperative to rule out other causes of massive pleural effusion. Massive pleural effusion in sarcoidosis may be steroid-resistant. Pleurodesis may have a role in such a scenario.     

2014恶性胸腔积液诊断和治疗专家共识要点解读

恶性胸腔积液是一组临床常见综合征,恶性胸膜间皮瘤、肺癌、乳腺癌、淋巴瘤等是导致恶性胸腔积液的常见病因。尽管诊断方法和手段较多,但胸腔积液细胞沉淀中找到恶性细胞或在胸膜活检组织中观察到恶性肿瘤的病理改变仍然是确定恶性胸腔积液诊断的"金标准"。近年来多项研究结果倾向持续胸腔引流作为恶性胸腔积液治疗方法的首选,对多年来胸膜固定术的一线治疗地位提出了挑战。     

肺萎陷与气胸鉴别方法初探

目的探讨鉴别肺萎陷与气胸的方法。方法5名肺癌患者,其中合并气胸3例。合并右胸腔积液1例,合并以积液为主右液气胸1例。合并胸腔积液患者先行闭式胸腔引流术加负压抽完胸液后,影像学检查尚见气胸,进行闭式胸腔引流抽气却未见气体抽出,合并气胸者进行闭式胸腔引流抽气亦未见气体抽出。所有患者在CT引导下,将含有10ml气体的注射器穿刺进入胸腔,见气体吸人胸腔。结果考虑5例患者存在肺萎陷。结论肺萎陷与气胸的鉴别方法：胸部影像学示气胸,行闭式胸腔引流术抽气未见气体抽出,可在CT引导下将含有10ml气体的注射器穿刺进入胸腔,见气体吸入胸腔者,考虑存在肺萎陷。     

Carcinomatous involvement of the pleura : An analysis of 96 patients

To better define the prevalence, presentation, primary sites and survival of patients with Carcinomatous involvement of the pleura, we reviewed 96 cases of carcinoma of the pleura diagnosed by cytopathology or closed pleural biopsy at Colorado General Hospital from 1960 to 1975. Carcinomatous pleura) metastasis was present in 43/100,000 persons admitted to the hospital. The most common primary sites were lung in 32 of 96 (33 per cent), breast in 20 of 96 (20.9 per cent), ovary in nine of 96 (9.3 per cent) and stomach in seven of 96 (7.3 per cent). The incidence of pleural metastasis per type of carcinoma was lung in 32 of 459 (7.0 per cent), stomach in seven of 195 (3.6 per cent), breast in 20 of 645 (3.1 per cent) and ovary in nine of 303 (2.9 per cent). Chief presenting symptoms included dyspnea (57 per cent), cough (43 per cent) and chest pain (26 per cent); however, 22 of 96 subjects (23 per cent) were asymptomatic. Ninety-two per cent of the lung, breast and ovarian malignant effusions were ipsilateral to the primary lesion. The malignant pleural effusions were usually clear or serosanguineous exudates with a protein content of 3.7 ± 0.2 g/100 ml (mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM); lactic dehydrogenase 134 ± 15 lU/liter; glucose 120 ± 13 mg/100 ml, white blood cell count 2,250 ± 400/mm³. Mean survival was 3.1 ± 0.5 months (after diagnosis of pleural metastasis) with 54 per cent mortality within one month and 84 per cent mortality by six months. A malignant pleural effusion provided the basis for the first diagnosis of cancer in 44 of 96 patients (46 per cent).     

Tuberculous pleural effusion and lymphadenitis treated with rifampin-containing regimen

Rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol were administered in single daily dose for nine months to 91 patients with pleural effusion and 45 patients with lymphadenitis, both of tuberculous etiology. Clinical and roentgenographic clearance of pleural effusion was successfully achieved in all cases at the end of nine months of treatment. Followup of 80 cases of pleural effusion up to nine months, in 55 cases up to one year, and up to two years in 30 cases after completion of therapy, showed no recurrence. In the cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis, resolution of lymph nodes occurred in 31 cases (68.8 percent) at the end of nine months of treatment. Therapy had to be extended for varying periods for achieving successful response, and in five cases, medical treatment had to be supplemented with surgical drainage and excision of the nodes. Short course chemotherapy can be used to treat pleural effusion, but the same mode of treatment is less effective for cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis.     

以胸腔积液为首发症状的多发性骨髓瘤1例并文献复习

目的 提高对多发性骨髓瘤(MM)诊断的认识.方法 报道1例以胸腔积液就诊的MM病例,并对相关文献进行复习.结果 45岁女性,胸闷、憋气3个月.近1个月有少尿及头痛、头晕症状.胸部CT示右侧液气胸,左侧大量胸腔积液,胸壁见扁丘状软组织影突出.胸腔镜下见胸腔内大量淡黄色液体,脏层胸膜和膈胸膜光滑,壁层胸膜大量大小不一的结节,质硬,活检不易出血的.病理示浆细胞瘤.胸骨穿刺骨髓象检查示大量的浆细胞瘤细胞骨髓浸润.结论 MM患者以髓外病变就诊时,应结合临床表现考虑到MM的可能,及时行骨髓检查明确诊断.并发髓外病变时预后不良.     

Management of malignant pleural effusion associated with trapped lung syndrome

Management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion associated with trapped lung syndrome remains problematic. An alternative treatment using a pleural catheter has been advocated. Between August 1999 and August 2002, 127 patients underwent thoracoscopy for malignant pleural effusion. Of these, 52 (41%) with trapped lung were managed by insertion of a pleural catheter. Mean age was 66 years (range, 42-89 years). The most frequent diagnosis was breast cancer. Spontaneous pleurodesis (drainage < 10 mL) occurred in 25 (48%) patients whose catheter was removed after 30 to 255 days (mean, 93.8 days). Symptomatic relief was achieved in 49 (94%) patients. Mean dyspnea score improved significantly from 3.0 to 1.9. Complications comprised catheter blockage, surgical emphysema, cellulitis, and loculated effusion in 2 patients each. Mean length of hospital stay was 3 days (range, 1-16 days). Median survival was 126 days (range, 10-175 days). We conclude that long-term placement of a pleural catheter provides effective palliation for malignant pleural effusion associated with trapped lung syndrome.     

A case of tuberculous pleurisy with a rapid decrease in pleural effusion]

We report a rare case of tuberculous pleurisy with a rapid decrease in pleural effusion by levofloxacin. A 73-year-old woman admitted due to dyspnea on exertion of one month duration. She had aortitis syndrome which had been treated with oral prednisolone for 6 months. Chest roentgenogram showed left pleural effusion, which was exudative with lymphocyte predominance and an increased level of adenosine deaminase. One-week administration of levofloxacin remarkably decreased effusion. as demonstrated on chest roentgenogram 2 weeks after treatment. Since Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in culture from bronchial lavage fluid and sputum, we prescribed antituberculous therapy with isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. resulting in complete resolution.     

Nodular lung disease with five year survival and unilateral pleural effusion in AL amyloidosis

A 67-year-old female patient with biopsy proven AL systemic amyloidosis developed rapidly progressive dyspnea. Chest roentgenogram and CT scan revealed a large right pleural effusion in addition to nodular lesions with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. The patient's serum showed IgG λ type monoclonal gammopathy and she also had Bence Jones proteinuria. The pleural effusion was an exudate that contained many mononuclear cells and a high concentration of protein. Cardiac function was not seriously disturbed Except for amyloidosis, no other causes for the severe pleural effusion were found. This patient was treated with chemical pleurodesis using Picibanil and a low dose of prednisolone. Eighteen months after this treatment, her right pleural effusion did not recur. Bronchopulrnonary tissues are known to be frequently involved by AL systemic amyloidosis, but a nodular pattern of pulmonary amyloid deposition and a unilateral large pleural effusion are rare clinical manifestations in this disease.     

以胸腔积液为首发症状的特发性嗜酸粒细胞增多综合征1例并文献复习

目的 探讨以胸腔积液为首发症状的特发性嗜酸粒细胞增多综合征(idiopathichypereosinophilic syndrome,IHES)的临床特点及诊治经验,提高广大临床工作者对该病的认识.方法 回顾性分析重庆医科大学附属第一医院呼吸内科收治的1例IHES患者的病例资料,并结合国内外文献进行文献复习.以“特发性嗜酸粒细胞增多综合征”为检索词检索中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI)、中文科技期刊数据库(维普)、万方数据库,以“idiopathichypereosinophilic syndrome”、“eosinophilia”、“hypereosinophilia”为检索词检索Embase数据库、MEDLINE数据库(PubMed),检索时间为1990年1月到2015年12月.结果 患者为青年男性,2015年10月10日因“反复咳嗽、胸闷、气促2个月,加重半个月”入院,血常规提示嗜酸粒细胞绝对值17.28×109/L,胸部CT提示左侧胸腔中量积液,右侧胸腔少量积液,最终被诊断为IHES,糖皮质激素治疗2个月后,患者临床症状好转,胸腔积液明显吸收.文献经检索、去重后,共筛选诊断为IHES的国内外病例报道74篇,其中合并胸腔积液的病例报道共25篇.国内已公开报道IHES患者共103例,最常受累的部位包括皮肤(约34.0％),其次为呼吸系统、消化系统,14.6％伴有胸腔积液.结论 IHES的临床症状常不典型,易与其他疾病相混淆,诊断较为复杂,只有提高临床工作者对于该病的认识及其临床资料的掌握,才能真正减少误诊误治.     

Massive pleural effusion as the presenting feature of a subarachnoid-pleural fistula

A 14-year-old boy presented with a large symptomatic transudative pleural effusion 4 months after spinal surgery for kyphoscoliosis. Computed tomography myelography confirmed a subarachnoid-pleural fistula (SPF) with a pseudo-meningocele communicating with the left pleural space. A review of the literature indicates this to be a rare finding. The possibility of SPF should be entertained in patients who present with a pleural effusion following transthoracic spinal surgeries.