The Role Of Sputum Inductionin The Diagnosis Of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion

This study was carried out at Chest , Clinical Pathology, Pathologyand Radiology Departments, Zagazig University Hospitals in the periodfrom July 2004 to August 2005. 40 patients with ”suspect tuberculouspleural effusions” were included in this study .They were divided into two groups depending on theplain chest radiographic findings :1.Group A (12 patients) : having radiologicalfindings of pleural effusion with the presence ofvisible parenchymal lesions .2.Group B (28 patients ) : having radiologicalfindings of pleural effusion without the presence ofvisible parenchymal lesions .*’The followings were performed for all subjects:1. Thorough medical history taking: with special concern about:a)Personal history . `-b)History of the present illness .c)Past history .d) Family history .2)A full clinical examination General and local chestexaminations3)Radiological evaluation :*All patients were subjected to:a)Plain chest X- ray (postero-anterior and lateral views )b)Abdominal ultrasonography*Some patients were subjected to:c) Chest computerized tomography (CT) , for 16 patientsonly.4)Tuberculin skin test : (Mantoux technique)5)Routine laboratory investigations :•Complete blood picture•Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)•Fasting and post-prandial blood sugar levels.•Liver function tests (serum enzymes,bilirubin,total proteinand serum albumin)•Kidney function tests (serum urea and creatinine levels).