Abstract

Background: In China, tuberculous pleural effusion is the most common cause for pleural effusion. Elevated ADH and positive tuberculin test usually are characteristic of tuberculous pleural effusion. We reported a 71-year-old male patient with elevated ADH and positive tuberculin test firstly misdiagnosed as tuberculous pleural effusion finally proven as pleural mesothelial sarcoma by thoracoscopic pathology.
Methods: Appropriate laboratory tests and thoracentesis were carried out. Thoracoscopy and pathological biopsy were performed to differentiate tuberculous pleural effusion.
Results: Chest CT showed right pleural effusion. ADH in pleural effusion was over 45 U/L and PPD test was positive. No abnormal cells were found in pleural effusion pathology. Pathology of thoracoscopic biopsy proved pleural mesothelioma.
Conclusions: Elevated ADH and positive tuberculin test are not a specific index for tuberculosis and thoracoscopic biopsy pathology is crucial for differential diagnosis.

DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2019.190323