Diagnosis Suggested by Pleural Fluid Exam
| Finding | Suggested diagnosis |
|---|---|
| Ammonia odor of fluid | Urinothorax |
| Black fluid | Aspergillus involvement of the pleura |
| Bloody fluid | Trauma, traumatic thoracentesis, pulmonary embolism, or malignancy |
| Brown fluid | Rupture of amebic liver abscess into pleural space |
| Food particles in fluid | Rupture of esophagus into pleural space |
| Putrid odor of fluid | Anaerobic infection of pleura or empyema |
| Viscous fluid | Malignant mesothelioma due to increased levels of hyaluronic acid |
| White fluid | Chylothorax, cholesterol in fluid, or empyema |
| Yellow-green fluid | Rheumatoid pleuritis |
Source: Adapted from Sahn SA. The pleura. Am Rev Respir Dis 1988;38:184–234.