[Application of flexirigid thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of pleural disease with unknown etiology].

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of flexirigid thoracoscopy for pleural diseases and the patients' compliance.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with pleural effusion and thickening of unknown etiology underwent examinations with flexirigid thoracoscopy with subsequent pathological examination, and the diagnostic accuracy and the patients' compliance were observed.

Results: Thoracoscopy identified lesions in the pleural and/or diaphragm in 42 patients and no lesions in 5 patients. Malignancy was confirmed in 21 (44.7%), tuberculosis in 17 (36.2%), idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in 1 (2.1%), nocardiasis in 1 (2.1%), constrictive pericarditis in 1 (2.1%), chronic empyema in 2 (4.3%), splenic artery embolization in 1 (2.1%), and negative result in 3 (6.4%) of the cases. The diagnostic accuracy rate of flexirigid thoracoscopy reached 93.6%, and no serious complications in relation to the examination was found.

Conclusion: Flexirigid thoracoscopy is efficient and relatively safe for diagnosis of pleural diseases with or without hydrothorax.