Study of etiology of pleural effusion in the district hospital, Shimoga

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Original Article

Author Details : Ranganatha M, Nagabhushana S, Ranjith Kumar GK, Virupakshappa

Volume : 2, Issue : 2, Year : 2017

Article Page : 54-57

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Abstract

Introduction: Pleural effusion is an indicator of a pathologic process that may be of primary pulmonary origin or of some other systemic disease. Determining the etiological of PE helps in adoption of regionally optimized diagnosis & therapeutic approach.
Materials and Method: Study is conducted on 100 consecutive patients admitted in various medical wards of the Mc Gann Hospital attached to Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga. From June 1st, 2016 to January 30th 2017 detailed history was taken in all the patients and a through physical examination was done. Routine investigations were done for all patients. Chest X-ray PA view taken. All the patients were subjected to diagnostic thoracentesis. Under aseptic precautions about 20 ml of fluid was aspirated and subjected to analysis pleural fluid cell count, cell type, sugar, protein and AFB stain done.
Results: There were 60 males and 40 females. The mean age was 36±2.2 years. Fever and cough were the most common clinical features seen in 64% and 76% respectively, followed by chest pain (44%) and breathlessness (42%). Tuberculous pleural effusion (64%) was more common than non tuberculous (36%) pleural effusion. Among non tuberculous pleural effusion synpneumonic and malignant effusion were common. Tuberculosis has predominant lymphocytic pleural effusion with cell count less than 200.
Conclusions: Aetiological evaluation of pleural effusion is very important for management of the disease. This is important because management is different for different cases. Pleural fluid analysis can be considered as gold standard in evaluation of pleural effusion.

Keywords: Cell Cytology; Pleural Effusion; Thoracocentesis; Tuberculosis

How to cite : Ranganatha M, Nagabhushana S, Ranjith Kumar Gk, Virupakshappa, Study of etiology of pleural effusion in the district hospital, Shimoga. IP Indian J Immunol Respir Med 2017;2(2):54-57

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