Pleural Effusions and Thoracentesis - Related Resources

Cochrane reviews

There is insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of steroids in tuberculous pleural effusion Steroids for Tuberculous Pleurisy.

Talc appears to be the most effective agent for chemical pleurodesis. However, insufflation has the disadvantages of the need for thoracoscopy and general anaesthesia. Doxycycline and minocycline seem to be effective in the small number of patients studied Chemical Pleurodesis for Malignant Pleural Effusions.

Rahman NM, Munavvar M. Investigation of the patient with pleural effusion. Clin Med 2009 Apr;9(2):174-8. [PubMed]
Rahman NM, Davies RJ, Gleeson FV. Investigating suspected malignant pleural effusion. BMJ 2007 Jan 27;334(7586):206-7. [PubMed]
Tarn AC, Lapworth R. BTS guidelines for investigation of unilateral pleural effusion in adults. Thorax 2004 Apr;59(4):358-9; author reply 359. [PubMed]
Antunes G, Neville E, Duffy J, Ali N, Pleural Diseases Group, Standards of Care Committee, British Thoracic Society. BTS guidelines for the management of malignant pleural effusions. Thorax 2003 May;58 Suppl 2():ii29-38. [PubMed]
BTS guidelines for the management of pleural disease. Thorax 2003;58(suppl 2):ii1-59

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