PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Gabriela Martinez-Zayas
AU  - Sofia Molina
AU  - David E. Ost
TI  - Sensitivity and complications of thoracentesis and thoracoscopy: a meta-analysis
AID  - 10.1183/16000617.0053-2022
DP  - 2022 Dec 31
TA  - European Respiratory Review
PG  - 220053
VI  - 31
IP  - 166
4099  - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/31/166/220053.short
4100  - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/31/166/220053.full
SO  - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW2022 Dec 31; 31
AB  - Background Thoracentesis and thoracoscopy are used to diagnose malignant pleural effusions (MPE). Data on how sensitivity varies with tumour type is limited.Methods Systematic review using PubMed was performed through August 2020 to determine the sensitivity of thoracentesis and thoracoscopy for MPE secondary to malignancy, by cancer type, and complication rates. Tests to identify sources of heterogeneity were performed. Study quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 and National Institutes of Health quality assessment tools. Publication bias was tested using funnel plots.Results Meta-analyses for sensitivity of thoracentesis for MPE secondary to malignancy, mesothelioma and lung and breast cancer included 29, eight, 12 and nine studies, respectively. Pooled sensitivities were 0.643 (95% CI 0.592–0.692), 0.451 (95% CI 0.249–0.661), 0.738 (95% CI 0.659–0.836) and 0.820 (95% CI 0.700–0.917), respectively. For sensitivity of thoracoscopy for MPE secondary to malignancy and mesothelioma, 41 and 15 studies were included, respectively. Pooled sensitivities were 0.929 (95% CI 0.905–0.95) and 0.915 (95% CI 0.871–0.952), respectively. Pooled complication rates of thoracentesis and thoracoscopy were 0.041 (95% CI 0.025–0.051) and 0.040 (95% CI 0.029–0.052), respectively. Heterogeneity was significant for all meta-analyses. Funnel plots were asymmetric.Interpretation Sensitivity of thoracentesis varied significantly per cancer type. Pooled complication rates were low. Awareness of how sensitivity of thoracentesis changes across cancers can improve decision-making when MPE is suspected.Sensitivity of thoracentesis varies significantly per cancer type. Awareness of how sensitivity of thoracentesis changes across cancer types can improve decision-making in patients with suspected malignant pleural effusion. https://bit.ly/3bEiPYq