Medical Thoracoscopy: Experiences in Siriraj Hospital
Jamsak Tscheikuna MD*
Affiliation : * Division of Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Objective : Medical thoracosopy is the investigational and therapeutic procedure for many kinds of pleural
diseases. One of its indications is for the diagnosis of undetermined pleural effusion. We report our experience
in using medical thoracoscopy in investigating undiagnosed pleural effusion.
Materials and Methods : Thirty four consecutive patients had thoracoscopy done for this indication from 1999
to 2005.
Result: Malignancy was diagnosed in 21 patients. Pleural biopsies showed chronic pleuritis in 7 patients.
Normal thoracoscopy was found in 2 cases and the procedures were unsuccessful in 4 cases because of
extensive pleural adhesion. In patients with malignancy, pleural nodules had a tendency to be localized in the
lower part of the pleural cavity. Better selection of the patient should lower the unsuccessful procedure.
Conclusion : The review of the indication for thoracoscopy will increase the use of this procedure in respira-
tory medicine practice and shorten the investigation time.
Keywords : Medical thoracoscopy
