European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess the diagnostic role of pleural fluid
cholesterol in categorizing type of pleural effusion.
Material and methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted on
51 patients hospitalized to the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, TMMC & RC,
TMU, Moradabad, for a period of one and a half years. Patients with definite clinical
diagnosis and pleural effusion evidenced by radiological imaging and thoracentesis
yields a sufficient good quantity of pleural fluid for examination was included in the
study. Pleural fluid cholesterol was investigated and compared according to Light’s
criteria.
Results: Maximum subjects were suffering from moderate amount of pleural effusion.
Exudative pleural effusion was found in 94.1%, 86.3%, 72.5% of the subjects while
transudative pleural effusion was found in 5.9%, 13.7%, 27.5% of the subjects
according to Light’s criteria, cholesterol at cut off 45 and 60 respectively. The mean
pleural fluid cholesterol level in the exudates and transudates was 85.11±34.13 and
31±7.21 mg/dl with statistically significant difference as p=0.009. Cholesterol at cut of 45
was found to be better predictor of exudative and transudative pleural effusion
considering Light's criteria as gold standard.
Conclusion: Cholesterol effusion has the advantage of avoiding plasma protein, sLDH,
pleural fluid protein, and LDH. Cholesterol at 45 was the best cut for detecting pleural
effusion. As a result, distinguishing exudates from transudates is more efficient, easier,
and cost-effective.