The clinical manifestations of the tuberculous pleural effusion in adult patients.

The clinical data of 52 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion were analyzed. Their average age was 48 years old. Thirty two (62%) of them were sick for less than one week. Fever, chest pain and cough were the predominant pictures. Six of the 52 patients had coexisting disease. Intermediate strength protein purified derivative (PPD) test was found to be positive in 14 out of 31 (45%) patients. Their pleural effusions were usually unilateral, right-sided, and nearly half of them occupied more than half of the hemithorax. One third of these patients and concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis and pleural effusion. None of the patients had grossly bloody effusion. All of the effusions were exudative, and the glucose levels in the pleural fluid were invariably above 60 mg/dl. Presence of mesothelial cells in the pleural fluid was found in 28% of them, but none of the patients presented with significant eosinophils in the pleural fluid. Pleural fluid and sputum cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis usually reveal a negative study unless a concomitant pulmonary lesion was present. Combined antituberculosis and prednisolone treatment decreased the duration of constitutional symptoms and hastened the resolution of pleural effusion. In conclusion, tuberculous pleural effusion should be considered in elderly patients presenting with massive exudative pleural effusion even with a negative PPD study. Cultures of sputum and pleural fluid are less helpful in patients without parenchymal disease. Prednisolone is recommended in extremely ill patients.