Cholesterol determination for differentiation of exudative from transudative pleurisy

Abstract

Objective: Pleurisy is a very common syndrome in pulmonary medicine. Every physician must know how to evaluate pleurisy correctly. One of the primary diagnostic measures to be taken to figure out the etiology of pleurisy is the puncture of pleural fluid and differentiation between exudate and transudate. Methods: In this study, cholesterol, protein and LDH quantity of pleural fluids of 70 patients compared with levels of these parameters in their blood simultaneously, then according to the lightest criteria distinction was made. Findings: Exudate, transudate and cholesterol findings from pleura were compared with the plasma levels of them. For the pleural findings, diagnostic sensitivity was 90.6% for cholesterol, 90% for protein and 86% for LDH. Diagnostic specificity was 90% for cholesterol, 100% for protein and 85% for LDH. Conclusion: In conclusion cholesterol is valuable, compared to the other parameters and can be used as a single distinguishing factor between exudative and transudative pleural fluid.

Keywords

• pleural effusion
• exudate
• transudate
• cholesterol