Pleural effusion

Question 1

Lights criteria?

Answer 1

pleural fluid protein: serum protein ratio >/=0.5
pleural fluid LDH: serum LDH ratio >/=0.6
pleural fluid LDH >2/3 ULN serum LDH

Question 2

What type of pleural effusion almost always has protein >4.0?

Answer 2

TB

Question 3

When pleural fluid protein >7.0, what 2 things should you start to consider?

Answer 3

Waldenstroms, MM

Question 4

PF LDH >1000 suggests which 4 causes?

Answer 4

Empyema, RA, pleural paragonimiasis&raquo_space; CA

Question 5

Name 2 things that classically cause high PF LDH but low PF protein

Answer 5

PCP PNA, urinothorax

Question 6

What defines a cholesterol effusion, and what are 2 other names for cholesterol effusion?

Answer 6

PF chol >250. Pseudochylothorax, chyliform effusion

Question 7

How do PF TG levels help you in diagnosis of chylothorax?

Answer 7

> 110: chylothorax.

Question 8

PF glc

Answer 8

Complicated parapneumonic effusion, empyema, CA, TB, lupus, esophageal rupture

Question 9

Which 2 causes of pleural effusion have the lowest glc concentrations (glc

Answer 9

Rheumatoid, empyema

Question 10

Typical pH of transudate? exudate?

Answer 10

Transudate: 7.40-7.55. Exudate: 7.30-7.45

Question 11

PF pH >7.8 makes you think?

Answer 11

Proteus

Question 12

PF pH

Answer 12

Complicated parapneumonic effusion, empyema, CA, esophageal rupture, rheumatoid

Question 13

PF amylase > ULN serum amylase or PF/serum amylase ratio >1.0: 3 major things on Ddx?

Answer 13

CA, pancreatic, esophageal rupture

Question 14

What does PF adenosine deaminase >50 suggest?

Answer 14

TB

Question 15

PF rbc >100k makes you think what 3 things?

Answer 15

CA, trauma, PE w/ infarct