Thoracoscopy in pleural malignant mesothelioma: A prospective study of 188 consecutive patients. Part 1: Diagnosis

Background. To compare the diagnostic value of thoracoscopic biopsy, fluid cytology, and Abrams needle biopsy, the authors analyzed prospectively the records of 188 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma examined between 1973 and 1990. Symptoms were pleural effusion in 173 patients, empyema in 1, spontaneous pneumothorax in 1, and radiologic tumor without effusion in 13. Methods. Thoracoscopy was performed using a rigid thoracoscope under...