Via percutaneous needle, VATS, or open thoracotomy surgical approaches & may be required if there is concern for cancer or tuberculosis involvement in the pleura/pleural fluid refers to sampling of what?

Via percutaneous needle, VATS, or open thoracotomy surgical approaches & may be required if there is concern for cancer or tuberculosis involvement in the pleura/pleural fluid refers to sampling of what?

• A. Pleural biopsy
• B. Bronchoscopy
• C. Mediastinoscopy
• D. Chamberlain procedure

Answer: (A)

Sampling the pleura to evaluate suspected cancer or tuberculosis involves a pleural biopsy. Using percutaneous needle, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), or open thoracotomy to obtain pleural tissue allows direct histologic examination of the pleural surface, which is especially helpful when pleural fluid analysis or cytology is nondiagnostic. Tissue from the pleura can confirm malignancy (such as metastasis or mesothelioma) or infectious pleuritis (TB) by showing granulomas, caseation, or malignant cells, which may not be evident in the fluid alone. Options that sample the airways, mediastinal lymph nodes, or anterior mediastinum target different structures and are not aimed at pleural tissue.

Sampling the pleura to evaluate suspected cancer or tuberculosis involves a pleural biopsy. Using percutaneous needle, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), or open thoracotomy to obtain pleural tissue allows direct histologic examination of the pleural surface, which is especially helpful when pleural fluid analysis or cytology is nondiagnostic. Tissue from the pleura can confirm malignancy (such as metastasis or mesothelioma) or infectious pleuritis (TB) by showing granulomas, caseation, or malignant cells, which may not be evident in the fluid alone. Options that sample the airways, mediastinal lymph nodes, or anterior mediastinum target different structures and are not aimed at pleural tissue.