Thoracentesis (also known as thoracocentesis or pleural tap) is an invasive procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. A cannula, or hollow needle, is carefully introduced into the thorax, generally after administration of local anesthesia. The procedure was first described in 1852.

Indications

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This procedure is indicated when unexplained fluid accumulates in the chest cavity outside the lung. In more than 90% of cases analysis of pleural fluid yields clinically useful information. If a large amount of fluid is present, then this procedure can also be used therapeutically to remove that fluid and improve patient comfort and lung function.

The most common causes of pleural effusions are cancer, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and recent surgery. In countries where tuberculosis is common, this is also a common cause of pleural effusions.

When cardiopulmonary status is compromised (i.e. when the fluid or air has its repercussions on the function of heart and lungs), due to air (significant pneumothorax), fluid (pleural fluid) or blood (hemothorax) outside the lung, then this procedure is usually replaced with tube thoracostomy, the placement of a large tube in the pleural space.

Contraindications

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An uncooperative patient or a coagulation disorder that can not be corrected are absolute contraindications.

Relative contraindications are site of insertion has known bullous disease (e.g. emphysema), use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP, see mechanical ventilation) and only one functioning lung (due to diminished reserve).

Complications

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Major complications are pneumothorax (3-30%), hemopneumothorax, hemorrhage, hypotension (low blood pressure due to a vasovagal response) and reexpansion pulmonary edema.

Minor complications include a dry tap (no fluid return), subcutaneous hematoma or seroma, anxiety, dyspnea and cough (after removing large volume of fluid).

Interpretation of pleural fluid analysis

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Several diagnostic tools are available to determine the etiology of pleural fluid.

Transudate versus exudate

First the fluid is either transudate or exudate.

A transudate is defined as total protein pleural fluid-serum ratio of 0.5, LDH pleural fluid-serum ratio < 0.6, absolute pleural fluid LDH < 200 IU or < 2/3 of the normal serum level.

An exudate is any pleural fluid that does not meet aforementioned criteria.

Exudate

• Infection
• Inflammation
• Malignancy
• Iatrogenic
• Connective tissue disease
• Endocrine disorders
• Lymphatic disorders vs Constrictive pericarditis

Transudate

• Congestive heart failure
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Hypoalbuminemia
• Cirrhosis
• Atelectasis
• Peritoneal dialysis
• Vena cava superior obstruction

Amylase

A high amylase level (twice the serum level or the absolute value is greater than 160 Somogy units) in the pleural fluid is indicative of either acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst that has dissected or ruptured into the pleural space, cancer or esophageal rupture.

Glucose

This is considered low if pleural fluid value is less than 50% of normal serum value. The differential diagnosis for this is:

• rheumatoid effusion
• lupus effusion
• bacterial empyema
• malignancy
• tuberculosis
• esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome)

Triglyceride and cholesterol

Chylothorax (fluid from lymph vessels leaking into the pleural cavity) may be identified by determining triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are relatively high in lymph. A triglyceride level over 110 mg/dl and the presence of chylomicrons indicate a chylous effusion. The appearance is generally milky but can be serous.

The main cause for chylothorax is rupture of the thoracic duct, most frequently as a result of trauma or malignancy (such as lymphoma).

Cell count and differential

The number of white blood cells can give an indication of infection. The specific subtypes can also give clues as to the type on infection. The amount of red blood cells are an obvious sign of bleeding.

Cultures and stains

If the effusion is caused by infection, microbiological culture may yield the infectious organism responsible for the infection, sometimes before other cultures (e.g. blood cultures and sputum cultures) become positive. A Gram stain may give a rough indication of the causative organism. A Ziehl-Neelsen stain may identify tuberculosis or other mycobacterial diseases.

Cytology

Cytology is an important tool in identifying effusions due to malignancy. The most common causes for pleural fluid are lung cancer, metastasis from elsewhere and mesothelioma. The latter often presents with an effusion. Normal cytology results do not reliably rule out malignancy, but make the diagnosis more unlikely.

References

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• Thoracentesis from THE MERCK MANUAL, Sec. 6, Ch. 65, Special Procedures.

External links

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• A photo gallery of thoracentesis showing the procedure step-by-step. Clinical Notes.

Medical tests | Medical treatments | Pulmonology