Evaluation of pleural fluid cytology for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cytological examination of pleural fluid has good specificity, but imperfect sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Published estimates of sensitivity vary and predictors of false negative cytology are not well established.

Aims

To estimate pleural fluid cytology sensitivity and identify risk factors for false negative cytology.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who had cytology testing of pleural fluid at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand, from July 2017 to October 2019. Data on clinical and pleural fluid characteristics were collected. MPE was defined by positive pleural fluid cytology, tissue histology or multidisciplinary meeting consensus. We estimated sensitivity of the first pleural cytology as

SUBMITTER: Pairman L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9542185 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature