PLEURAL EFFUSION;

PATTERN AT NISHTAR HOSPITAL, MULTAN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of various diseases presenting with pleural effusion. Setting: Department of Chest
Medicine, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Period: March 2010 to September 2010. Material and methods: A total of 100 patients both sexes, more
than 12 years old, with clinically and radiologically confirmed pleural effusion underwent diagnostic thoracocentesis. Pleural fluid was
examined grossly and for sugar, protein, LDH, total and differential white cell count and malignant cells. Pleural fluid culture and pleural biopsy
was done in case of exudative effusion. Results: Tuberculosis was the most common cause (28%) of exudative pleural effusion followed by
parapneumonic effusion (25%) and malignant effusion (9%). Congestive cardiac failure (13%) and liver cirrhosis (8%) were the commonest
cause of transudative pleural effusion. Renal failure (5%), nephritic syndrome (2%), pancreatitis (2%), systemic lupus erythmatosus (2%) were
the other significant causes of pleural effusion. Conclusion:- Tuberculosis, paraneumonic effusion and malignancies are the common cause of
exudative pleural effusion while congestive cardiac failure, liver cirrhosis and nephritic syndrome are common causes of transudative effusion.