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Transudates and exudates
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  1. S J Quantrill1,
  2. L Dabal1
  1. 1Department of Cystic Fibrosis, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, UK; s.quantrill@ic.ac.uk

https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax.57.7.657-a

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    Joseph et al have made a valuable contribution to the evaluation of pleural effusions.1 However, we would like to sound a note of caution. Throughout all the literature, including the study by Joseph et al, one message remains the same: no single test is diagnostic for transudates or exudates.2 Thus, overreliance on such a test can be very misleading and lead to either under or over-investigation.

    Rarely in the literature is there any discussion regarding the place of pleural fluid protein or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) estimation. Specifically, how does it alter management? Does the finding of a …

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