Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of medical thoracoscopy in diagnosing of tuberculous pleurisy and characterize tuberculous pleurisy with medical thoracoscopy. METHODS: A total of 575 patients with tuberculous pleurisy who underwent medical thoracoscopy were included in the study. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, and routine and biochemical tests on pleural fluid, cultures of pleural fluid, sputum, and pleural biopsy for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and pathological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Sputum, pleural fluid, and pleural biopsy cultures were positive for M. tuberculosis in 12.5%, 19.2%, and 41.9% of patients, respectively. Furthermore, there were significant differences in total positive tuberculosis (TB) tests in the pleural cavity according to patient's age (<18 years old, 50.0%; 18-34 years old, 50.2%; 35-59 years old, 34.8%; >60 years old, 18.6%; and all groups vs. >60 years old, P < 0.001). Patients with 18-34 years old were more likely to have granuloma in pleural biopsy specimens when compared to patients >60 years old (77.0% vs. 37.9%). The percentage of patients with high adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in pleural fluid (>40 U/L), who were <18, 18-34, 35-59, and > 60 years old, was 83.3% (15/18), 72.8% (193/265), 51.2% (88/172), and 34.7% (17/49), respectively (all groups vs. >60 years old, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Medical thoracoscopy is effective for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy. Younger patients with tuberculous pleurisy have a higher number of positive TB tests in the pleural cavity, are more likely to have granuloma in pleural biopsy specimens, and have higher ADA levels in the pleural fluid.