Thoracentesis indications
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]
Indications
The indications of Thoracocentesis can be divide into
Diagnostic-
- When thoracocentesis is done to take out small amount of pleural fluid for testing, to establish the cause of the disease.
- The most common causes of pleural effusions are cancer, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and recent surgery. In countries where tuberculosis is common, this is also a common cause of pleural effusions.
Therapeutic-
When cardiopulmonary status is compromised (i.e. when the fluid or air has its repercussions on the function of heart and lungs), due to air (significant pneumothorax), fluid (pleural fluid) or blood (hemothorax) outside the lung, then this procedure is usually replaced with tube thoracostomy, the placement of a large tube in the pleural space.