To find the diagnostic accuracy of Medical Thoracoscopy in diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Effusion taking Histopathology as Gold standard

Abstract

Background: Malignant pleural effusion is diagnosed by the  dentification of malignant cells in pleural fluid or on pleural biopsy, represent an advance malignancy associated with high morbidity and mortality, precluding the possibility of curative treatment approach. Malignant pleural effusions are caused by pleural malignancy as well as metastasis in more than 75% cases e.g. lung, breast, ovary and lymphomas.Objective: The objective of this study is to find the diagnostic accuracy of medical thoracoscopy in diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion taking histopathology as gold standard.Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted at department of Pulmonology Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from January 2016 to July 2016.Total of 150 patients were included in the study, with 95% confidence level, 7% margin of error, expected percentage of MPE i.e 70% and taking sensitivity and specificity of thoracoscopy i.e. 85% and 100% taking histopathology as gold standard. More over non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used for sample collection.Results: Our study shows that mean age was 57 years with SD ±7.11.  Seventy percent patients were male and 30% patients were female. Diagnostic accuracy of medical thoracoscopy was 85.10%, Specificity and PPV was 100%, NPV was 30%, Diagnostic accuracy was 86%.Conclusion: Our study concludes that diagnostic accuracy of medicalthoracoscopy was 86% which shows that it is an essential tool for diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.