[Therapeutic means and methods in recurrent pleurisy].

During a 10-year interval (1981-1991), at the IIIrd Medical Clinic of Iaşi 960 cases with pleural effusion, of which 768 (80%) non-recurrent and 192 (20%) recurrent, were diagnosed. The etiology in the latter cases was malignant (40%) and non-malignant (60%). Proper treatment methods for limiting or suppressing the recurrent pleurisies proved to be imperative. Thoracocenteses cause protein and electrolyte depletion which aggravate the general state and hasten the unfavourable evolution of the etiological affection. This is the reason why besides the general etiopathogenic treatment, a local pathogenic treatment (cytostatic, anti-inflammatory) and especially pleurodesis are compulsory. The intrapleural administration of cortisone is efficient in the case of recurrent autoimmune pleural effusions but is worthless in the malignant ones. In the latter situation, the intrapleural cytostatic treatment should be first attempted and, in case of failure, the development of pleural symphysis by external radiotherapy or injecting talc into the pleural space should be made. In the terminal stage of cardiac insufficiency or liver cirrhosis with recurrent pleural effusion, the pleurosymphysation is not indicated; a sever edematous-ascitic attack may occur or become aggravated by the pleural irritative process due to this method.