Invasive Approaches to the Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion

This article reviews the surgical and other invasive procedures in the management of pleural effusions. Pleural effusion is frequent in clinical practice. Pleural procedures vary from aspiration to more challenging procedures such as thoracoscopy. However itis difficult to make diagnosis by thoracentesis or closed pleural biopsy. Thoracoscopy is gold standart in the investigation and management of pleural disease. Pleural biopsy by thoracoscopy should be actively carried out in patients with pleurisy, because the technique has a high diagnostic rate and can be easily and safely performed. Flexible or rigid thoracoscope, bronchoscope, endoscope and mediastinoscope can be used for operation