Management of pleural effusions in children with malignant lymphoma

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine potential problems in the diagnosis and management of children with pleural effusions and malignant lymphoma as well as the efficacy of thoracentesis. METHODS: The case histories of six children with malignant lymphoma who presented with pleural effusions were reviewed. Thoracentesis was performed using the Seldinger technique. RESULTS: Four of the children presented with symptoms and chest radiograph findings similar to pneumonia. A large mediastinal mass was present in two children. Pleural fluid analysis resulted in a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma in five of the six children. Two of the children had symptoms of reexpansion pulmonary edema after removal of pleural fluid. An empyema developed in one child after thoracotomy and chest tube placement. Reaccumulation of pleural fluid was common before initiating chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant pleural effusions frequently are present in children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. They may present with respiratory distress because of the size of the effusion, the mediastinal mass, or both. Management of these pleural effusions is associated with potential complications, some of which are life threatening. Thoracentesis is the initial diagnostic and therapeutic procedure of choice. The use of a Seldinger technique for thoracentesis has proved useful and safe. In patients with large effusions, aggressive removal of the pleural fluid may be followed by reexpansion pulmonary edema.     

Pleural fluid pH: diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic value

Measurement of pleural fluid pH has diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications in exudative pleural effusions (Table II). A parapneumonic effusion with a pleural fluid pH below 7.2 indicates an empyema is forming which necessitates chest tube drainage in all patients, whereas a pleural fluid pH over 7.3 does not require drainage. If the pH of a parapneumonic effusion is 7.2 to 7.3, serial pleural fluid pH measurements with clinical observation will help to determine the need for chest tube drainage. A pleural fluid glucose level of below 60 mg/dl and a lactic dehydrogenase level over 1,000 IU/dl in conjunction with a pleural fluid pH of 7.2 to 7.3 indicate an impending empyema. These findings are consistent with our clinical experience in patients with parapneumonic effusion. Tuberculous pleural effusions had a pleural fluid pH below 7.4 in all reported patients. This pH may be of value in distinguishing tuberculous pleural effusions from recent malignant effusions, which tend to have a higher pleural fluid pH, particularly if used in conjunction with other pleural fluid values, cell counts, and other clinical parameters. In patients with malignant pleural effusions, a pH of less than 7.3 is usually seen in those effusions present for several months and is associated with a lower glucose level and a higher white cell count and lactic dehydrogenase level. Results of cytologic study of the pleural fluid and pleural biopsy are often positive, there is poor response to sclerosing agents, and the prognosis is poor. A rheumatoid pleural effusion most often has a pleural fluid pH below 7.3. A pleural fluid pH below 6 is seen almost exclusively in esophageal rupture but rarely with empyemas, whereas a pleural fluid pH below 7 occurs in esophageal rupture, empyema, and rheumatoid pleural effusions. In pleural effusions secondary to congestive heart failure, the pH is almost always greater than 7.4 unless systemic acidemia coexists, in which case the pleural fluid pH is within 0.04 units of the simultaneous arterial pH. The major value of pleural fluid pH is to determine the need for chest tube drainage in parapneumonic effusions and to determine the response to sclerosing agents in patients with malignant pleural effusions. As with all diagnostic tests, the results should be interpreted in the context of other diagnostic tests of the pleural fluid and clinical aspects before diagnostic or therapeutic decisions are made.     

Talc pleurodesis in recurrent pleural effusions

Background and aims: The treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusions is known to be difficult and varies from observation in asymptomatic patients to pleurectomy with varying results. This prospective study presents the efficacy and the limits of iodized talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant and non-malignant recurrent pleural effusions. Methods: In a prospective trial talc pleurodesis was performed in 50 patients with recurrent pleural effusions (malignant effusions: n = 36, non-malignant effusions: n = 14). After insertion of a chest tube and complete re-expansion of the lung, 5 mg of talc and 3 mg of thymol iodine were installed with 0.5 ml of 1% xylocaine/kg body weight and 30 ml 0.9% saline solution. The chest tube was removed after an average time of 4 days and chest radiographs were performed 1 month after instillation to evaluate the efficacy of pleurodesis. Results: Successful therapy was achieved in 31 of 33 patients (94%) with malignant effusions within a follow-up period of 7 months. Three patients died within 1 month after therapy due to progressive malignant disease. The treatment was successful in all cases of non-malignant effusions and complications did not occur in either group. Conclusions: These results indicate that pleurodesis with iodized talcum slurry is a simple and inexpensive method with high efficacy in controlling malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions. Received: 23 October 1997     

Pleuroperitoneal shunting for recalcitrant pleural effusions

From March 1, 1984, to Nov. 1, 1985, six patients underwent pleuroperitoneal shunting for either malignant (n = 5) or benign (n = 1) effusions intractable to the usual therapy. A modified double-valve Denver peritoneovenous shunt was inserted under local anesthesia in each case, and fluid from the right or left pleural space was shunted to the subhepatic space or pelvic area. No early complication was recognized in the perioperative period. Each shunt is working in the patients who are alive, and both functioned up to the time of death in the two who have died. Intraoperative pressures simultaneously recorded from both the chest and abdomen indicated that spontaneous flow would not occur without active pumping. All pleural effusions, including the solitary bilateral one, were alleviated by pumping the shunt 20 times four times a day. Two of the patients with cancer died after 1 and 2 months of unrelated events, with their symptomatic pleural effusions relieved. Two are alive at 20 and 10 months, respectively. The long-term follow-up revealed no erosions, shunt failures, infections, or symptomatic pleural effusions.     

Treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusion by iodized talc pleurodesis

Chemical pleurodesis using iodized talc is an effective method of treating symptomatic recurrent malignant pleural effusions. Twenty-three effusions occurring in 21 patients treated by this method are described with two illustrative case reports. The procedure eliminated the need for further chest aspiration in all but one instance. The histological appearances of the pleura at intervals after pleurodesis are also described.     

Pleuro-peritoneal shunting. Alternative therapy for pleural effusions.

Pleural effusions are resistant to standard therapy, which causes discomfort and can require prolonged hospitalization. As an alternative, pleuroperitoneal shunting for pleural effusions of various etiologies was evaluated. We implanted 36 shunts in 29 patients. Two patients had bilateral shunts and five had shunt revisions. The effusion was related to a malignancy in 22 patients, postoperative chylothorax in two patients, and other causes in five patients. Therapeutic thoracentesis had been attempted in 28 patients, and eight had had chest tube placement previously with attempted sclerosis. Seven patients had a trapped lung syndrome. There was no operative mortality. All patients were deemed ready for discharge from the hospital if they had recovered from the operation within 48 hours. Five patients had poor results, either because of a moribund status or their refusal or inability to pump the shunt. Of the remaining 24 patients, four had good results with temporary improvement, and excellent results were achieved in 20 patients (83.3%), who experienced symptomatic relief and stabilization or regression of pleural effusion until the time of their death. Patients with chylothorax experienced complete resolution. The 14 patients with malignant effusions had a median survival of 4 months, and there were no instances of peritoneal tumor seeding. In conclusion, pleuroperitoneal shunting is an alternative therapy for pleural effusions that requires a limited hospitalization only, is associated with minimal and short-term discomfort, achieves excellent results in properly selected patients, and is the only viable therapy when lung expansion cannot be achieved.     

Efficacy of short term versus long term tube thoracostomy drainage before tetracycline pleurodesis in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.

BACKGROUND--A study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of short term tube thoracostomy drainage with standard tube thoracostomy drainage before instillation of tetracycline for sclerotherapy of malignant pleural effusions. METHODS--The study consisted of a randomised clinical trial in a sequential sample of 25 patients with malignant pleural effusions documented cytopathologically. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to group 1 (standard protocol) and 10 to group 2 (short term protocol). Patients in group 1 had tube thoracostomy suction drainage until radiological evidence of lung re-expansion was obtained and the amount of fluid drained was < 150 ml/day, before tetracycline (1.5 g) was instilled. The chest tube was removed when the amount of fluid drained after instillation was < 150 ml/day. Patients in group 2 also had suction drainage, but the tetracycline (1.5 g) was instilled when the chest radiograph showed the lung to be re-expanded and the effusion drained, which was usually within 24 hours. The chest tube was removed the next day. RESULTS--The response to tetracycline sclerotherapy in the two groups was the same (80%) but the duration of chest tube drainage was significantly shorter for patients in group 2 (median two days) than for those in group 1 (median seven days). CONCLUSIONS--The duration of chest tube drainage before sclerotherapy for malignant pleural effusions need not be influenced by the amount of fluid drained daily but by radiographic evidence of fluid evacuation and lung re-expansion. Shorter duration of drainage will reduce the length of hospital stay without sacrificing the efficacy of pleurodesis.     

Volumetry of pleural effusion in multi-morbidity, postoperative patients of a surgical intensive care unit. Comparison of ultrasound diagnosis and thoracic bedside image

Aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of chest ultrasound and chest x-ray for the indication of thoracic drainage of pleural effusions in patients of an operative intensive care unit. Between December 1996 and June 1997 21 patients were included in a prospective trial in the operative intensive care unit. 26 thoracic drainages were used to drain pleural effusions. In all patients chest radiography in supine position and chest ultrasound were performed to assess the need of pleural drainage. Pleural fluid measured radiologically was categorized into 3 groups: pleural fluid less than 500 ml, 500 to 1,000 ml or more than 1,000 ml. The amount of the pleural effusion was sonographically determined by a standardized formula. After complete drainage of the pleural space the real volume of the fluid was measured and compared with the estimated value. The real amount of the fluid was correctly determined by chest radiographs in 16 cases (62%) and by chest ultrasound in 18 patients (69%). Pleural effusions less than 600 ml sonographically correlated much better with the real amount of the fluid than pleural effusions above 600 ml. In 8 cases (31%) ultrasound provided an additional information for correct indication of drainage. Considering both x-ray of the chest in supine position and chest ultrasound the correct indication to drain the pleural effusion was achieved in 25 cases (96%). In this prospective trial we compared chest ultrasound and chest radiography and demonstrated that ultrasound is more suitable to determine the amount of pleural effusions than radiography. In case of clinical and radiological suspicion on pleural effusion demanding for drainage a chest ultrasound should be performed to avoid underestimation of pleural fluid.     

Iodized talc pleurodesis for the treatment of pleural effusions.

This prospective study was designed to determine the efficacy of iodized talc pleurodesis in patients with pleural effusions. Thirty-four patients underwent this treatment (three bilaterally) between October 1, 1989, and March 31, 1991. All patients had to have complete or nearly complete lung reexpansion after tube thoracostomy with fluid drainage less than 100 ml in 24 hours. A slurry containing 5 gm of talc and 3 gm of thymol iodide was instilled into the pleural space through the chest tube. Chest tubes were removed after complete reexpansion and clearing of the effusions, usually in 3 to 5 days. The patients' ages ranged from 26 to 88 years (average 50 years). Eighteen patients had lung carcinoma, two had mesothelioma, and one each had carcinoma of the ovary, breast, or anorectum, multiple myeloma, schwannoma, or Hodgkin's lymphoma. Two patients had an unknown adenocarcinoma primary and five other patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. One patient had congestive heart failure. Nineteen patients had left, 12 had right, and three had bilateral pleural effusions. The effusion was serosanguineous in 26 and serofibrinous in eight patients. Serial chest radiography showed complete response in all patients. The period of follow-up ranged from 1 to 21 (average 4.9) months, with no recurrences. Twenty-three patients have died during the follow-up period, and there was no sign that reaccumulated pleural effusion existed in any, despite clinical evidence of systemic tumor progression. These observations indicate that intrapleural instillation of a slurry of iodized talc is a safe, adequate, and effective treatment for control of neoplastic or benign pleural effusions.     

血小板检测对儿童肺吸虫病患者的诊断价值

目的分析血小板（PLT）检测在儿童肺吸虫病患者临床诊断中的价值。 方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2017年12月十堰市人民医院感染性疾病科和儿科住院确诊的19例儿童肺吸虫病患者的临床表现、PLT计数、白细胞（WBC）、嗜酸性粒细胞计数（EOS）、胸肺部螺旋X线计算机断层摄影（MSCT）以及浆膜腔彩色多普勒超声检查结果。分析PLT变化与肺吸虫病临床表现和影像学变化间的相关性。根据PLT水平是否高于正常值分为PLT升高组（12例）和PLT正常组（7例）。 结果PLT升高组患者呼吸系统症状、体征异常者12例次,MSCT显示该组病例均有肺部病灶（其中9例患者伴有双侧胸腔积液、3例患者伴有单侧胸腔积液）。PLT正常组患者呼吸系统症状、体征异常者1例,MSCT显示1例患者有胸腔积液。治疗后PLT升高组患者随肺部病灶消退、PLT恢复正常;PLT正常组患者治疗前后无变化。WBC水平变化：16例患者WBC正常,3例患者WBC水平升高。WBC水平升高患者合并扁桃腺细菌感染、肠道感染、肺内感染者1例,抗菌药物治疗后WBC水平恢复正常。入组患者使用吡喹酮治疗期间未发现WBC异常。EOS变化：EOS显著升高,升高至15.9%～54.8%。驱虫疗程结束EOS比率降低至正常值上限的2倍以下,EOS疗程结束1个月后降至正常。胸部MSCT：发现肺部病灶13例次（其中PLT升高12例次、PLT正常1例次）、胸腔积液13例次（PLT升高组12例次中双侧胸腔积液9例次、单侧3例次;PLT正常组患者中单侧胸腔积液1例）;心包积液2例（两组各1例）;纵膈和腋下淋巴结肿大4例次（PLT升高组和正常组各2例次）。随着驱虫治疗显效,MSCT显示胸部病变消退。胸肺型肺吸虫病是肺吸虫病的主要类型。彩色多普勒超声浆膜腔检查：胸腔积液13例次（其中双侧9例次、单侧4例次）、心包积液2例次、腹腔积液2例次。胸肺型、腹型肺吸虫病发生胸腔和腹腔积液比较常见;随着驱虫效果显效,浆膜腔积液亦消退。 结论PLT水平升高对胸肺型肺吸虫病的诊断具有提示意义,结合EOS变化,对肺型肺吸虫病诊断提示意义更高。     

Comparison of nucleolar organiser regions and DNA flow cytometry in the evaluation of pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND--In conventional cytological diagnosis of pleural effusions the assessment of morphological features plays an important part. However, false negative and false positive results may occur. In this study conventional cytology was compared with flow cytometric DNA analysis and the argyrophil staining technique for nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR) to characterise benign and malignant effusions. METHODS--Pleural effusions from 71 patients (38 with benign lung disease, 33 with proven adenocarcinoma of lung) were studied by conventional cytology, flow cytometric DNA analysis, and the AgNOR technique. Tumour cell ploidy was determined by flow cytometry. In an attempt to detect the cell proliferative state, flow cytometric S phase fraction and the AgNOR technique were used. The correlations among conventional cytology, flow cytometric DNA ploidy, S phase fraction analysis, and nucleolar organiser regions were investigated. RESULTS--All the 38 benign pleural effusions were diploid. There were 17 (52%) aneuploid and 16 (48%) diploid malignant pleural effusions. Based on these results this type of DNA analysis had a sensitivity of 52% and a specificity of 100%. The mean (SD) numbers of flow cytometric S phase fractions of benign and malignant cases were 5.32 (1.67)% and 12.45 (3.93)% respectively. The mean numbers of S phase fractions of diploid malignant cases were higher than diploid benign cases. In each case the number of AgNORs was counted in 100 cells. The mean number of AgNOR dots per nucleus was 12.57 (3.64) for malignant pleural effusion cells and 3.96 (1.39) for benign pleural effusion cells. The mean number of AgNOR dots was 14.45 (3.36) for aneuploid malignant pleural effusion cells and 10.57 (2.82) for diploid malignant pleural effusion cells. The AgNOR numbers were higher in diploid malignant cells than in diploid benign cells. There was a significant correlation between the S phase fraction determined by flow cytometry and the mean number of AgNORs per nucleus in malignant cases. CONCLUSIONS--Both flow cytometry and the AgNOR methods provide comparable measurements in the diagnosis of pleural effusion. The study also indicates that the AgNOR method, which is rapid and easy to perform, may be a useful adjunct to flow cytometry, S phase fraction analysis and conventional cytology in the routine diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.     

肺癌伴恶性胸水的外科治疗

目的 探讨既消除胸水、治疗胸膜病变,又切除或控制原发病灶的方法。方法 对40例肺癌伴恶性胸水者行手术、免疫、介入或化疗。结果 所有病人胸水消失,29例死于术后6－31个月（平均13个月）,9例术后5－52个月仍生存。结论 外科综合治疗肺癌伴恶性胸水效果显著。     

Pleuroperitoneal shunt for intractable pleural effusion

Intractable pleural effusion secondary to malignant disease is often managed by thoracentesis or sclerotherapy, painful time-consuming procedures that may be ineffective. An alternative technique is to place a pleuroperitoneal shunt as in a 73-year-old man, described in this paper, who had recurrent right and left pleural effusions secondary to inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the right lung. In his case, sclerotherapy was not attempted on the left side because a pericardial window was functioning. The left pleural effusion was successfully managed by inserting a pleuroperitoneal (LeVeen) shunt.     

Thoracoscopic pericardial resections for malignant pericardial effusions

We have performed 5 thoracoscopic pericardial resections for malignant pericardial effusions. An initial trocar was placed in the seventh or eighth intercostal space posterior to the midaxillary line. Two additional trocars were placed, usually in the sixth intercostals spaces in the anterior axillary and posterior axillary lines. Using an endoscopic grasping instrument and scissors through the working ports, a pericardial resection was performed. All patients were successfully managed by thoracoscopic pericardial resections. Two of the 5 patients had associated malignant pleural effusions that were able to be managed at the same time by thoracoscopy. The average chest tube duration was 1.8 days. There has been no reaccumulation of pericardial effusions in all patients at an average follow-up of 5 months. The thoracoscopic approach could be minimally invasive and the procedure of choice in performing pericardial resections in selected patients with malignant pericardial effusions who are expected to have a reasonable life expectancy.     

Outpatient management of malignant pleural effusion by a chronic indwelling pleural catheter

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that a chronic indwelling pleural catheter (PC) safely and effectively relieved dyspnea, maintained quality of life, and reduced hospitalization in patients with malignant pleural effusions. Outpatient management of malignant pleural effusion with a PC may reduce length of stay and early (7-day) charges compared with inpatient management with chest tube and sclerosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive PC patients (n = 100; 60 outpatient, 40 inpatient) were treated from July 1, 1994 to September 2, 1998 and compared with 68 consecutive inpatients treated with chest tube and sclerosis between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997. Hospital charges were obtained from date of insertion (day 0) through day 7. RESULTS: Demographics were similar in both groups. Pretreatment cytology was positive in 126 of 168 patients (75%), negative in 21 (12.5%), and unknown in 21 (12.5%). Primary histology included lung (n = 61, 36%), breast (n = 39, 23%), lymphoma (n = 12, 7%), or other (n = 56, 34%). Median survival was 3.4 months and did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Overall median length of stay was 7.0 days for inpatient chest tube and inpatient PC versus 0.0 days for outpatient Pleurx. No mortality occurred related to the PC. Eighty-one percent (81/100) of PC patients had no complications. One or more complications occurred in 19 patients (19%). Patients treated with outpatient PC (n = 60) had early (7-day) mean charges of $3,391 +/- $1,753 compared with inpatient PC (n = 40, $11,188 +/- $7,964) or inpatient chest tube (n = 68, $7,830 +/- $4,497, SD) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient PC may be used effectively and safely to treat malignant pleural effusions. Hospitalization is not required in selected patients. Early (7-day) charges for malignant pleural effusion are reduced in outpatient PC patients compared with inpatient PC patients or chest tube plus sclerosis patients.     

Primary treatment of malignant pleural effusions: video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery poudrage versus tube thoracostomy

The objective of this study is to show that primary treatment of malignant pleural effusions secondary to ovarian carcinoma with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)-assisted talc poudrage (VATS-ATP) results in shorter hospital stays and reduced time with a chest tube than primary treatment with a chest tube and chemical pleurodesis. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients with a symptomatic pleural effusion secondary to primary ovarian carcinoma receiving intervention from January 1996 to December 2000. Patients either received tube thoracostomy with pleurodesis (n = 22) or VATS-ATP (n = 12). Of the patients treated with tube thoracostomy 18 per cent (4/21) died in the hospital before pleurodesis, 77 per cent (14/19) had successful pleurodesis, and 22 per cent (4/18) failed pleurodesis requiring VATS-ATP. In the group treated primarily with tube thoracostomy the chest tube was in place 8.36 +/- 2.61 days with a hospital stay of 12.64 +/- 5.80 days after the procedure. In the group treated with VATS-ATP there was 100 per cent successful pleurodesis. There were no mortalities. There was one prolonged intubation of 3 days and one incomplete lung reexpansion. The chest tube was in place for 4.58 +/- 1.78 days and a hospital stay of 7.50 +/- 4.12 days postprocedure. Groups treated by tube thoracostomy and VATS were statistically different; P < 0.001 for days with a chest tube and P = 0.011 for hospital days. We conclude that both tube thoracostomy with chemical pleurodesis and VATS-ATP provide adequate treatment of ovarian carcinoma-associated malignant pleural effusions. VATS-ATP provides a shorter duration of chest tube placement and postprocedure hospital stay.     

胸腔镜在恶性胸腔积液诊治中的应用

自１９９２年１１月至１９９６年１０月间,作者用胸腔镜技术对２０例恶性胸腔积液患者进行了诊断和治疗,均获得明确诊断;其中恶性胸膜间皮瘤８例,转移癌１２例。２０例行滑石粉胸膜固定术;其中１８例获得可靠的胸膜固定。有２例未成功的原因为肺实性变而不能复张。术后有２例短暂发热和轻度哮喘,对症治疗后症状明显缓解。作者认为,胸腔镜手术可以大大提高恶性胸腔积液的病因诊断率和胸膜固定术的效果,术中应尽可能将附着于脏、壁层胸膜的纤维素剥除,以利于肺复张。     

The value of pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen estimation in the diagnosis of malignant tumours of the pleural cavity

Measurement of pleural fluid and blood carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentrations as well as estimations of pleural fluid protein, lactic acid dehydrogenase and sugar levels were carried out in 45 patients with pleural effusions in order to determine the value of these biochemical parameters in the diagnosis of malignant tumours involving the pleural space. The study population included individuals with epithelial and non-epithelial malignant tumours involving the pleural cavity as well as patients with inflammatory effusions and patients with transudates due to cardiac, renal or hepatic disease. Pleural fluid CEA content was the single most useful measurement in distinguishing epithelial malignant tumours from other causes of pleural effusion. In addition, the pleural fluid CEA/blood CEA ratio was greater than 1 in most patients with epithelial cancer of the pleural space, suggesting that local production of CEA is responsible for elevated values in the pleural fluid.     

Occurrence of a simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax due to a pleuro-pleural communication

Herein we present a case of a simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax caused by a pleuro-pleural communication. A 70-year-old man with a history of esophagectomy presented with dyspnea. A chest roentgenogram revealed a bilateral pneumothorax and bilateral chest drainage procedures were performed. A left bullectomy was also performed 3 days later due to persistent air leakage on the left side. During surgery, a small fistula was detected in the anterior mediastinal pleura and was found to be in communication with the bilateral pleural spaces.     

THORACOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF PLEURAL EFFUSIONS REVISITED

Pleural effusion is a commonly encountered clinical condition. We report our experience with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the management of pleural effusions in three groups of patients: (1) Patients with cryptogenic pleural effusions for diagnosis; (2) patients with established malignant effusions for talc insufflation and limited decortication; and (3) patients with early empyema for debridement and drainage. From September 1992 to March 1994, we have successfully managed 28 patients with pleural effusions (12 males, 16 females; age ranged from 22 days to 73 years). Management consisted of 16 diagnostic thoracoscopies with guided pleural biopsies, seven limited decortications for trapped lungs, 12 talc insufflation for recurrent symptomatic malignant effusions and debridement and drainage of tive empyemata. There was no mortality or intra-operative complications. The procedure was tolerated well by all patients. The mean duration of chest drainage and hospital stay were I.2 and 2.8 days for group 1 patients, 4.5 and 6.4 days for group 2, and 5.6 and 7.1 days for group 3. Specitic histological diagnosis was obtained in all but two patients (88%). Thoracoscopic talc insufflation was successful in 92% of cases at mean follow up of 8 months. Thoracoscopic debridement and drainage of empyema resulted in rapid resolution of sepsis in all cases. Advances in video camera technology and instrumentation have allowed more therapeutic manoeuvres to be carried out. We conclude that VATS is a safe and effective way of managing selected patients with pleural effusions.