Abstract:

Objective: To explore the value of diagnosing pleural effusion with bronchoscopy instead of thoracoscopy. Methods:
Clinical data of 42 cases using bronchoscopy instead of thoracoscopy in patients with pleural effusion which remained unsure in pleural
biopsy from August 2013 to October 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Test results, the clinical data of patients and the correlation
analysis of test results were analyzed. Results: 24 cases were diagnosed as malignant tumor, including 20 cases of lung cancer, 4 cases
of malignant pleural mesothelioma, 12 cases of tuberculous pleurisy, 6 cases of chronic nonspecific inflammation. 6 cases of patients
with unsure diagnosis had half a year follow-up, and there was no deterioration occurred after hospital discharge and no any evidence
of malignant tumor and tuberculosis. Conclusion: Using bronchoscopy instead of thoracoscopy examination in the diagnosis of patients
with pleural effusion of unknown origin is a safe and easy diagnostic method with low false negative rate. Patients with imaging
evidence of a chronic course, shortness of breath, smoking, massive pleural effusion, malignant tumor should be examined by
thoracoscopy.

Key words: pleural effusion, pleural biopsy, diagnose with bronchoscopy instead of thoracoscopy