Ultrasound-guided Biopsy of the Pleura as a Supplement to Extraction of Fluid in Patients With One-sided Fluid in the Pleura

Launched by NAESTVED HOSPITAL · Jan 19, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Patients with unilateral pleural effusion with high protein content (exudative pleural effusion) are likely to have malignant pleural effusion. In the Danish guidelines, patient undergo two thoracentesis before more invasive procedures, due to the relatively low incidens of pleural TB and mesothelioma. The aim of the research group is to investigate the effect of early introduction of ultrasound-guided pleural biopsy taken at the optimal sport for thoracentesis. The research group will randomise half of our patients with unilateral pleural exudate to up-front ultrasound-guided biopsy and th...

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18 years.
• • Patients with a previous thoracentesis of a unilateral exudative pleural effusion according to Light's criteria (1) without malignant cells.
• • CT thorax or PET-CT with contrast performed.
• • Clinical suspicion of cancer such as (but not limited to) weight loss or PET-CT results or former cancer diagnosis.
• • Patients must be able to give informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Bilateral pleural effusions.
• • Known cause of pleural effusions.
• • Life expectancy \<3 months.
• • Inability to understand written or spoken Danish.