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Med-Spot on Med-Source: Interpreting Pleural Effusion Fluid

Med-Spot - Interpreting Thoracentisis Analysis - Diagnostic Hints from Pleural Fluid

Characteristics of Pleural Fluid

Etiology

Appearance

WBC (diff)

RBC

pH

Glucose

Misc.

CHF

clear, straw

<1000>

<5,000

nl.

~serum

bilat. cardiomegaly

cirrhosis

clear, straw

<1000

<5,000

nl.

~serum

R-sided

uncomplicated parapneumonic

turbid

<40,000>

<5,000

nl.

~serum


complicated parapneumonic

turbid purulent

<100,000>

<5,000

↓↓

↓↓

needs drainage

empyema

purulent

<100,000>

<5,000

↓↓↓

↓↓

needs drainage

TB

serosang.

<10,000>

<10,000

nl.

nl.

+ AFB, + ADA

malignancy

turbid bloody

<100,000>

<100,000

nl.

nl.

cytology

PE

sometimes bloody

<50,000>

<100,000

nl

~serum

no infarct transudate

RA

turbid

<20,000>

<1,000

↓↓↓

RF, CH50

pancreatitis

serosang. turbid

<50,000>

<10,000

nl.

~serum

L-sided, amylase

esophageal rupture

turbid purulent

can be > 50,000

<10,000

↓↓↓

↓↓

L-sided, amylase

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