Sleep in patients with large pleural effusion: impact of thoracentesis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the sleep quality and impact of thoracentesis on sleep in patients with a large pleural effusion.

Methods: Patients with large unilateral pleural effusion were evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and dyspnea Borg scale. Full polysomnography (PSG) was performed on the night before and 36 h after thoracentesis.

[Thoracentesis and pleural biopsy].

Thoracentesis is the method of choice for obtaining samples of pleural fluid. Although it is considered a minimum invasive procedure, it is crucial to follow a standardized technique with the purpose of optimizing the chance of diagnosis and minimizing risks. The pleura biopsy may enlarge and complement the chance of diagnosis of the pleural diseases and is indicated in selected cases.