A Clinical Evaluation of Tuberculous Pleurisy: Report of 52 Cases

Choi, Hyung Ho; Kim, Chang Nam; Jung, Hae Dong

Abstract

A clinical analysis was performed on 52 cases of tuberculous pleurisy experienced in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery and department of medicine, Chosun University Hospital during a period from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1995. Among them, male was 39 cases, female was 13 cases, with age ranged from 7 to 73 years. The common symptoms were chest pain 75%, dyspnea 59.6%, cough 55.8%. The most common diagnostic tool was pleural biopsy. The protein levels in the tuberculous pleural effusion were 0.9~6.5 gm%, and ratios of effusion protein to serum protein were 0.48~1.06. The glucose levels in the tuberculous pleural effusion were 37~112 mg%. The LDH levels in the tuberculous pleural effusion were 80~2440 unit/ml, and ratios of tuberculous pleural effusion LDH to serum LDH were 0.48~1.03. The ADA levels in the tuberculous pleural effusion were 24-63 IU/L. The common surgical methods of treatment in the tuberculous pleurisy were closed thoracostomy in 18 cases(66.7%), and thoracentesis in 5 cases(18.5%). his study compares the clinical results of group A and group B. There were no significant differences for age and sex, lag period from initial symptoms to admission, diagnostic method, and protein, pH, LDH, glucose, ADA levels in tuberculous pleural effusion. Authors noted that the discharge after admission on the tuberculous pleurisy was more faster in patients with surgical treatment than in patients with only medical treatment.