Final diagnoses established in all patients (n=89)
| Diagnosis | n | % |
| Pleural tuberculosis | 66 | 74.2 |
| Bronchogenic carcinoma | ||
| Non-small cell lung cancer | 4 | 4.5 |
| Small cell lung cancer | 2 | 2.2 |
| Metastatic adenocarcinoma (other than lung) | 3 | 3.4 |
| Malignant mesothelioma | 2 | 2.2 |
| Sarcoma | 1 | 1.1 |
| Parapneumonic effusion (bacterial) | 7 | 7.9 |
| Sarcoidosis | 1 | 1.1 |
| Undiagnosed pleural exudates | 3 | 3.4 |