Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted through the chest wall into the pleural space to remove excess fluid. It serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in mesothelioma — the drained fluid can be tested for cancer cells while the procedure itself provides immediate relief from breathing difficulty.
For pleural mesothelioma patients experiencing pleural effusion, thoracentesis is often one of the first procedures performed. Using ultrasound guidance, a physician inserts a needle between the ribs and drains the accumulated fluid, which can range from a few hundred milliliters to several liters.
The removed fluid is sent for cytological analysis to check for malignant cells. While fluid cytology can sometimes identify mesothelioma cells, it is less reliable than tissue biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. If fluid analysis is inconclusive, a more invasive biopsy procedure may be recommended.
Thoracentesis provides significant symptom relief by allowing the compressed lung to re-expand. However, if the fluid reaccumulates rapidly, more permanent solutions like pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheter placement may be considered. The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient service with local anesthesia.
- Also known as
- Pleural tap, Pleural fluid aspiration
- Category
- Medical
- Related terms
- Pleural Effusion, Pleurodesis, Biopsy, Pleural Mesothelioma, Pleural Thickening
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