Thoracoscopy in pleural diseases - A summary

S5A – Pleural Disease
THORACOSCOPY IN PLEURAL DISEASES – A SUMMARY

Muhammad Redzwan S. Rashid Ali
KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital,Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia

Medical Thoracoscopy (MT) or “Pleuroscopy” is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure indicated in unexplained exudative pleural effusion of uncertain etiology. It is one of the commonest procedures done by a Pulmonologist. It has the highest yield for malignant pleural effusion, mesothelioma and tuberculosis compared to other modes of pleural biopsy.  It has both diagnostic and therapeutic indications. It is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of malignant pleural disease. This talk will revisit the indication/contraindication, basic set up and preprocedural requirements needed for MT. The talk will also explore the utilization of MT in various aspect of pleural disease and will delve briefly on newer indications.