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Abstract

BACKGROUND:Exudative pleural effusion poses a diagnostic challenge, main differentiationbeing TB and malignancy. The role of needle biopsy varies in different patientgroups and is likely to be of greater benefit in countries with high TB prevalence.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate diagnostic yield of Abraham pleural biopsy in cases with exudativepleural effusion.METHODOLOGY:A descriptive study was conducted in Jinnah Hospital Karachi, department ofchest medicine from September 2007 to March 2009. Seventy nine patients ofage> 12 years diagnosed with exudative pleural effusion were consecutivelyenrolled. Pleural biopsy was performed by Abrams biopsy needle. The mainoutcome of the study was to evaluate diagnostic yield of Abraham needle biopsy.RESULTS:The mean age of the sample was 47.55±18.56 years. There were 49 (62%)males and 30 (39%) were females. The results found that pleural biopsy wasdiagnostic in 50 (63.29%). Out of 50 patients, 21 (42%) patients had tuberculosis and 18 (36%) malignancy. Chronic non specific inflammation was present in 6 (12%) of patients and empyema in 5 (10%) patients.CONCLUSION:Abraham needle biopsy is useful in confirming the diagnosis of TB andmalignancy in patients with exudative pleural effusion.