Diagnostic Yield and Safety of Medical Thoracoscopic Biopsy in Undiagnosed Exudative Pleural Effusion: A Five-Year Retrospective Study From a Tertiary Care Center in South India

Key Points

• Medical thoracoscopy achieved a high diagnostic yield in undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion cases, emphasizing its importance.
• An excellent safety profile was reported, with no significant adverse events noted in the evaluated procedures.
• Observational analysis across five years at a tertiary care center highlighted an increase in malignancy cases.
• Findings support the need for early thoracoscopic evaluation to better address diagnostic uncertainties.