A clinical study was made of 13 patients with pleural effusions to whom 15 cases of pleural biopsies were performed using Cope needle in the Dept. of Thoracic Surgery, Chung-nam National University ;Hospital from August 1976 to late October 1981 and previously reported literatures were reviewed. The following results were obtained.
1) Parietal pleura was obtained in all cases of 15 pleural biopsies.
2) The obtained histologic results were tuberculous pleuritis in 4 patients, malignant pleuritis in 1 patient, and non-specific pleuritis in 8 patients.
3) Definite histologic diagnoses were made in 6 patients of 13 patients, so the rate of definite diagnosis was 46%.
4) Of 5 patients of proven tuberculous pleuritis, the results of pleural biopsies were positive in 4 patients and of 2 patient of proven malignant pleuritis, positive in 1 patient.
5) For diagnosis of idiopathic pleural effusions, Cope needle biopsy is very effective and must be performed in those instances.
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