Thoracentesis
Alternative names:
pleural fluid aspiration; pleural tap
Normal values:
Normally the pleural cavity contains less than 20 milliliters of serous fluid.
What abnormal results mean:
The analysis of the fluid will indicate possible causes of pleural effusion such as infection, pulmonary hypertension, neoplasms, heart failure, cirrhosis. If infection is suspected, a culture of the fluid is often done to determine the presence of microorganisms.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
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