Frequency of tuberculous pleural effusion in northeast of iran

Abstract EN

Background : The Leading causes of exudative pleural effusion are Bacterial ,pneumonia, malignancy, viral infection and pulmonary embolism Tuberculous pleural effusion is relatively uncommon in the United States but: in some other part of the world it may be one of the Most common causes. Objective : To determine the frequency of tuberculous pleural Effuse among various causes of exudative pleural effusion in Northeast of Iran. Patients and Methods : During a period of 1.5 years we prospectively studied 142 patients with exudative pleural ,effusion.

We used the standard criteria proposed by Light.

Based on, their clinical diagnosis, other laboratory tests including pleural fluid culture, cytology and pleural biopsy were done when clinically indicated. Results : The subjects , of this study consisted of 142 patients, 74 men and 68 women, ranging from 14 to 87 years.

Definite diagnosis was made in 114 of 142 patients.

Sixty-one of 142 (42%) patients had tuberculous pleural effusion, which was the most common cause of exudative pleural effusion in our patients.

Other causes were malignancy.

Para pneumonic effusion and pulmorrary infarction.

In 28 patients (19.7%) the cause of pleural effusion was remained unknown. Conclusion : This study suggests that ,tuberculous pleural effusion is the most common cause of exudative pleural effusion in Northeast of Iran.

Detailed examinatiori of pleural fluid arid biopsy specimens for the presence of tuberculosis should be performed in all patients having exudative pleural effusion.