Table 2.
Pleural fluid and diagnostic studies
| Findings | Case 1 | Case 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pleural fluid | ||
| WBC, 103/mm3 | 150 | 100 |
| Pleural/serum protein (ratio) | <0.5 | <0.5 |
| SPAG | >1 | >1 |
| Pleural LDH, IU/l | NA | 49 |
| Culture | Negative | Negative |
| Cytology | Negative | Negative |
| Tigecycline doses, total (mg) | 150 | 200 |
| Pleural drainage | ||
| Before the PL, ml | 2050 | 3500 |
| Following PL, ml | 600 | 500 |
| Duration of drainage, days | 10 | 14 |
| Abdominal ultrasonography | Right massive pleural effusion with atelectasis left kidney stone (6 mm); liver: contour nodular, coarsened echo texture, C/RL >7, SM; ascites | Bilateral pleural effusion (right > left); liver: irregular external contour SM; minimal ascites |
| Doppler ultrasound following pleurodesis | Liver: contour nodular, coarsened echo texture SM, collaterals in the perisplenic region, portal venous thrombosis | Liver, coarsened echo texture, SM, patent vascular structure |
| Echocardiography | EF 55 %, 1° TR, 1° MR, left ventricular hypertrophy | EF 65 %, 1° TR, left atrial dilatation, aortic valve, and mitral annular calcification |
Abbreviations: LDH lactate dehydrogenase, SPAG serum–pleural fluid albumin gradient, EF ejection fraction, TR tricuspid regurgitation, MR mitral regurgitation, C/RL caudate–right lobe ratio, PL pleurodesis, NA not available