The Importance of Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Pleural Effusion Etiology

Abstract

Introduction: Pleural effusion, the pathological collection of fluid in the pleural space, is very widespread. Light's criteria are still the most commonly used initial laboratory test to determine the etiology of pleural effusion. We purposed to examine the usability of routine laboratory parameters in the differentiation of exudate-transudate. Material and methods: The 150 patients hospitalized in the chest diseases service due to pleural effusion etiology were retrospectively analyzed between January 2018 and December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to Light's criteria as exudate and transudate. The pleural fluid data, routine laboratory parameters and radiological image features compared between both groups. Results: Significantly higher serum C-reactive protein (C-RP) values were found in patients with exudative pleural effusion, and significantly higher serum mean platelet volume (MPV) and lower serum platelet values were found in patients with transudative pleural effusion. The serum MPV was negatively correlated with serum platelet. Conclusion: The serum MPV, platelet and C-reactive protein values may be candidate parameters to support the Light’s criteria in the differential diagnosis of transudate and exudate pleural fluid.

Keywords

• Pleural effusion
• exudate-transudate
• MPV
• platelet
• C-RP

References

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