RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Why you do or do not need thoracoscopy
JF European Respiratory Review
JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 213
OP 216
DO 10.1183/09059180.00005410
VO 19
IS 117
A1 J.P. Janssen
YR 2010
UL http://err.ersjournals.com/content/19/117/213.abstract
AB Thoracoscopy is an old but still very valuable technique for the evaluation of pleural pathology and, especially for the further investigation of the aetiology of pleural fluid. It remains of great importance, since it is able to not only provide an exact diagnosis, but also can have therapeutic potential. In this review, the differential diagnostic aspects of transudate versus exudate are further elaborated, and the role of thoracoscopy is compared to closed pleural biopsy and image guided biopsy.