Analysis of pleural fluid - A one year study

Background: Cytological study of pleural fluid is a simple, cost effective non invasive technique to detect specific pathologies in the pleural cavity. Though it has relatively low specificity and sensitivity owing to its very nature, it can be of immense help in detecting malignancies and non-neoplastic aetiologies such as infection. Aim: To evaluate pleural fluids with clinical correlation. Materials and methods: The present work was a descriptive cross sectional analytical retrospective type of study undertaken at the department of Pathology of a tertiary care rural hospital over a period of one year from January 2015 to December 2015. Pleural fluids were processed according to standard protocol and studied. They were analysed for cell count, cell features and presence of organisms (if any). Malignancies were also noted. Results: Out of a total of 338 fluid samples received in the one year, a total of 130 cases (38.46%) of pleural fluids were received. Majority of cases were females 72 (55.38%). Mean age of presentation was 51.60 years. A total of 13 cases (10.0%) were malignancies. 89 cases (68.46%) were pleural exudates and 41 (31.53%) were transudates. Conclusion: Pleural fluid comprised of one of the major specimen to be received for evaluation. Owing to its dynamic nature, the pleural cavity has a potential to be a haven to various pathologies. In our study, exudative effusions were commonly encountered, in which, tuberculosis was the prime cause. Malignancies also played an important role giving rise to effusions.