Diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion using CT scan and pleural-fluid cytology together. A preliminary case-control study

Abstract

Background/Aim: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of chest computed tomographic (CT) scan plus pleural fluid cytology (PFC) together in patients with malignant pleural effusion (PE), and to compare the results of these diagnostic tools in patients with malignant PE due to non-small-cell lung cancer and pulmonary metastases from other malignancies. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 185 patients with PE, who underwent chest CT, PFC and video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) thoracentesis followed by VATS-guided biopsy for diagnostic purpose, were reviewed. At the final diagnosis, 123 (66.5%) patients had malignant PE (cases), and 62 (33.5%) had benign PE (controls). Results: Overall, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT and PFC were 65.0% vs. 67.5% 98.4% vs. 98.4%, and 76.2% vs. 77.8%, respectively. The combination of CT plus PFC significantly improved sensitivity (86.2%, p=0.003) and accuracy (90.8%, p=0.02). Conclusion: CT and PFC used together may lead to approximately 100% specificity and >90% sensitivity in distinguishing between benign and malignant PE.