[Pleural needle biopsy in the diagnostic standards of pleural diseases in the past and today].

Pleural needle biopsy (PNB) maintained its value in spite of introduction of videothoracoscopy. Diagnostic possibilities of PNB using Abrams needle were evaluated during 1989-1998 in 114 patients aged 17-82 years. In histological examinations of the biopsy specimens were diagnosed: neoplasms--in 47 (41%) patients, tuberculosis--in 10 (9%) and chronic nonspecific pleuritis--in remaining 57 patients. Data from further course of the disease confirmed diagnosis of neoplasms and tuberculosis. Complication of PNB was encountered only in 1 patient (pneumothorax). Among 47 patients with malignant infiltration of the pleura in the biopsy specimen only in 20 (42%) neoplastic cells were demonstrated in cytologic examination of the pleural fluid. PNB remains still useful in the diagnosis of causes of pleural diseases. Specificity of this method can be enhanced by more precise localization of the pleural lesions using imaging technics (USG, CT, MRI). PNB should be more widely performed in the diagnosis of pleural diseases of unknown etiology particularly when videothoracoscopy is not feasible.