Pleural effusion - laboratories in common cause
Clear ultrafiltrate of plasma that originates from the parietal pleura
- pH 7.60-7.64
- Protein content less than 2% (1-2 g/dL)
- Fewer than 1000 WBCs per cubic millimeter
- Glucose content similar to that of plasma
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) less than 50% of plasma
2. Most common cause
- Left heart failure
- Pneumonia
- Malignancy
- Pulmonary embolism
- Viral disease
Add: Tuberculosis, empyema
3. Case
a. Left heart failure - Clear/serous/light yellow
- Nucleated cells 50k, neutrophilia
- Glucose 1000 IU/L in empyema
- pH10%
...
