Pleural Sonogram: Tissue Attributes and Guide for Forceps Biopsy

Methods: In our study forty two patients with exudative pleural effusion included in this study. They underwent TTU using Philips HD 5; superficial two dimensional probe 7-11 MHz for assessment of echographic features of pleural based lesions and observing their linkage with the final diagnosis carried out by ultrasound guided forceps biopsy by using Douay cervical biopsy forceps - 20 cm), trocar and cannula of Anderson needle and closing the inlet by rubber seal. Results: Neoplastic disorders were arranged as metastatic adenocarcinoma by 57.1% followed by malignant lymphoma and malignant mesothelioma (each by 9.5%) and lastly squamous cell carcinoma (4.8%). Regarding non-neoplastic lesions; tuberculous pleurisy accounted for 7.1% while nonspecific pleurisy showed 11.9%. All echogenic parameters showed highly significant statistical differences among types of pleural lesions (p < 0.001).