Semirigid thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of pleural effusion: first four cases in Turkey

Medical thoracoscopy is a valuable tool in the management and investigation of pleural diseases. It has advantages when compared to conventional closed pleural biopsy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. However, the use of this technique is limited in Turkey. The present report is about the first experience with semi-rigid thoracoscope that was implemented in our country. Four patients underwent medical thoracoscopy in September 2009 with the new device. All patients were referred due to non-diagnostic closed pleural biopsy. The use of the device was simple and fabulous views were obtained. All biopsy specimens of the 4 patients were histologically adequate. Definite diagnosis was enabled in 3 of the 4 patients when clinical features and CT findings combined with thoracoscopic specimens. The design is similar to the fiberoptic bronchoscope, respiratory physicians can easily adapt to its use. It is also compatible with most video operating systems and light sources used in endoscopy suites. The convenient use and compatibility with most endoscopic systems are raising the importance of the device. However, biopsy size from semirigid thoracoscope might cause diagnostic difficulty when compared to rigid thoracoscope.