Thoracentesis with imaging guidance is a bedside or outpatient clinic procedure that permits pleural fluid to be rapidly sampled, visualized, and analyzed for chemical, microbiologic, and cellular content..
How the Test is Performed.
A procedure called thoracentesis is performed to get a sample of pleural fluid.
The sample is sent to a laboratory and examined under a microscope for signs of infection.
The sample is also placed in a special dish (culture) to support the growth of microorganisms..
An important limitation with pleural fluid cytology is the variable sensitivity of the test, reported as 40%–87%. 1–3 While most clinicians are aware of the possibility of false-negative test results, some may be less aware of the actual sensitivity of the test and how it varies based on primary tumour type..
Initial pleural fluid cytology was diagnostic in 117 of 156 patients, providing a sensitivity (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 75.0% (67.4–81.6%).
The sensitivity was 79.0% (66.8–88.3%) for lung cancer, 91.3% (72.0–98.9%) for breast cancer and 33.3% (95% CI 11.8–61.6%) for mesothelioma.Feb 21, 2022.
Effusion cytology, also called pleural fluid cytology, refers to the lab examination of the fluid collected in the space around the lungs, called pleural space..
Abdominal Fluid, Ascitic Fluid, Culdocentesis, Cyst Fluid, Gastric Washing, Pelvic Washing, Paracentesis Fluid, Pericardial Fluid, Pericardiocentesis Fluid, Peritoneal Fluid, Pleural Fluid, Synovial Fluid, Thoracentesis Fluid, and other miscellaneous fluids..
Cytologic evaluation is the best way to detect the presence of malignancy in body cavity fluids.
Although a positive diagnosis is highly reliable, a negative result does not rule out a malignant cause..
Pleural fluid culture is a test that examines a sample of fluid that has collected in the pleural space to see if you have an infection or understand the cause of buildup of fluid in this space.
The pleural space is the area between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest..
How Much Pleural Fluid Should Be Sent for Cytology.
Sending at least 60 mL resulted in better sensitivity for diagnosing malignancy.
When patients with suspected malignant pleural effusion undergo diagnostic thoracentesis, what volume of fluid should be sent to the lab for cytologic diagnosis.
In this prospective study, researchers identified ..
A sample of fluid from the pleural space is needed.
The sample is taken using a procedure called thoracentesis.
The procedure is done in the following way:.
1) You sit on a bed or on the edge of a chair or bed.
Your head and arms rest on a table.
2) A small area of skin on your back is cleaned.
Numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected in this.
You will feel stinging when the local anesthetic is injected.
You may feel pain or pressure when the needle is inserted into the pleural space.
Tell your health care provider if you feel short of breath or have chest pain.
No special preparation is needed before the test.
A chest x-ray will likely be done before and after the test.
DO NOT cough, breathe deeply, or move during the test to avoid injury to the lung.
Risks are related to thoracentesis and may include:.
1) Bleeding.
2) Infection.
3) Collapse of the lung (pneumothorax).
4) Difficulty breathing
In an abnormal test, there are cancerous (malignant) cells.
This may mean there is a cancerous tumor.
This test most often detects:.
1) Breast cancer.
2) Lymphoma.
3) Lung cancer.
4) Ovarian cancer.
5) Stomach cancer
Pleural effusion, sometimes called fluid on the lung, can happen for various reasons, ranging from an infection to cancer.
A cytology exam is used to look for cancer and precancerous cells.
It may also be done for other conditions, such as identifying systemic lupus erythematosuscells.
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of fluid buildup in the pleural space.
This condition is called pleural effusion.
The test may also be done if you have signs of lung ca.
Pleural effusion has many causes.
They include:
Medical condition
Thin fluid-filled space between the two pulmonary pleurae (visceral and parietal) of each lung
Accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural cavity
