Optimizing Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Effusion: From Bed to Bench

Abstarct Pleural effusion is one of the most common reasons for consultation with chest specialists worldwide. Heterogeneous clinical manifestations and varied and numerous underlying causes demand meticulous clinical assessment, a standardized protocol for its evaluation, and the application of judicious diagnostic methods are prerequisites to confirm its diagnosis. Exudative, malignant, and infective etiologies pose a diagnostic challenge, especially in regions with high tuberculosis prevalence due to overlapping features and several commonalities on clinical findings and laboratory reports. A systemic pleural fluid lab analysis based on optimized synchronization of simple methods can make its diagnosis easier in resource-restrained settings.