Diagnostic yield of pleural fluid cytology in malignant effusions: an Australian tertiary centre experience

Abstract

Background: Timely diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions is critical to guide prognosis and management decisions. Cytological analysis of pleural fluid has been the first-line diagnostic test for many decades, with highly variable reported sensitivities of 40–90%. Its diagnostic accuracy in modern practice in Australia needs to be understood. Aims: To determine the diagnostic yield of pleural fluid cytology for the detection of malignant pleural effusions and to determine the aetiologies of pleural effusions at our centre. Methods: The study involved the retrospective chart review of all pleural fluid samples submitted for cytological analysis at a tertiary referral centre in Melbourne, A..