This practical ad easy-to-read manual is designed for quick consultation on how to deal with the most frequent clinical situations in the field of pleural pathology. It covers transudative, neoplastic, infectious and idiopathic pleural effusions as well as chest tube drainage and transthoracic ultrasound. Each topic is covered in a schematic way and introduced by paradigmatic clinical cases. Clear flow charts further guide readers throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway. Filling an existing gap in literature this handy and easy-to-read guide will be valuable tool for pulmonologists, internists, oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and pulmonology residents alike.


I. Clinical-Instrumental Diagnostic Approach to Pleural Effusion
1. Clinical-Instrumental Diagnostic Approach to Pleural Effusion
II. Transudative Pleural Effusion
2. Transudative Pleural Effusion
III. Exudative Pleural Effusions: Primary Neoplastic Pleural Effusion
3. Clinical Case of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
4. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
IV. Exudative Pleural Effusion: Secondary Neoplastic Pleural Effusion
5. Clinical Case of Neoplastic Pleural Effusion in Patient with Lung Cancer
6. Secondary Neoplastic Pleural Effusion
V. Exudative Pleural Effusion: Infectious and Tuberculous Pleural Effusion
7. Introduction to Infectious and Tuberculous Pleural Effusion
8. First Clinical Case of Infectious Pleural Effusion
9. Second Clinical Case of Infectious Pleural Effusion
10. Infectious Pleural Effusion
11. First Clinical Case of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion
12. Second Clinical Case of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion
13. Tuberculous Pleural Effusion
VI. Exudative Pleural Effusion: Idiopathic Pleural Effusion
14. Idiopathic Pleural Effusion
VII. Other Topics
15. Pleural Drain: Clinical Case of Pleural Effusion Treated with Small-Bore Pleural Drain
16. Chest Tube Drainage
17. Clinical Case of Pleural Effusion with an Interesting Ultrasound Picture
18. Transthoracic Ultrasound in Pleural Diseases
19. Use of Cortisone in Pleural Pathology