| First author [ref.] | Year | Cases n | Diagnostic yield % | NSP | False negative cases of NSP during follow-up | Follow-up period |
| Boutin [12] | 1981 | 215 | 97 | 40 (19) | 19 (9) | 1 yr |
| Loddenkemper [13] | 1981 | 250 | 98 | 23 (9) | NS | |
| Page [14] | 1989 | 125 | 91.5 | 15 (12) | 22 (18) | NS |
| Menzies [15] | 1991 | 102 | 93 | 22 (21) | >1 yr | |
| Hucker [16] | 1991 | 102 | 80 | 21 (20) | NS | NS |
| Kendall [17] | 1992 | 48 | 83 | 24 (50) | 6 (25) | >1 yr |
| Ohri [18] | 1992 | 56 | 85.7 | 7 (12.5) | 1 (2) | NS |
| Ferrer [19] | 1996 | 394 | 86.5 | 53 (13.5) | 2 (5) | >1 yr |
| Hansen [20] | 1998 | 147 | 90.4 | 45 (31) | 12 (8) | 2 yrs |
| Blanc [21] | 2002 | 168 | 93.3 | 57 (38.2) | >1 yr |
Data are presented as n (%), unless otherwise stated. NSP: nonspecific pleuritis; NS: not stated.