Pleural fluid pH in malignant effusions. Diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications

Ann Intern Med. 1988 Mar;108(3):345-9. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-108-3-345.

Abstract

Study objective: To determine whether the measurement of pleural fluid pH in malignant effusions has diagnostic use, predicts survival, and has therapeutic implications.

Design: A prospective comparison of cytologic examinations and pleural biopsy results, survival, and response to chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline in patients with normal-pH (7.30 or greater) and low-pH (less than 7.30) malignant pleural effusions.

Setting: Academic medical center, university referral hospital, city hospital, and Veterans Administration hospital.

Patients: Sixty patients with malignant pleural effusions, proven at either initial thoracentesis by cytologic examination or within 4 months of initial thoracentesis by repeat thoracentesis, thoracotomy, or autopsy, were followed until death.

Intervention: Twenty-one patients, 12 with normal pleural fluid pH and 9 with low pleural fluid pH, were treated with tube thoracostomy and intrapleural tetracycline for symptomatic, recurrent pleural effusions.

Main results: The 20 patients with low-pH malignant effusions had a significantly greater positivity on initial pleural fluid cytologic evaluation, a shorter mean survival, and a poorer response to tetracycline pleurodesis compared with 40 patients with normal-pH malignant effusions.

Conclusions: Determination of pleural fluid pH in malignant effusions provides a rational approach to further diagnostic testing, prognostic information, and a rationale for palliative treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Cytodiagnosis
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / mortality
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / metabolism*
  • Pleural Effusion / therapy
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Glucose