Tuberculous Pleurisy With Effusion

Abstract

Pleural effusion occurring in a young adult with a positive tuberculin skin test should be considered tuberculous until proved otherwise. Additional diagnostic technics include demonstrating tubercle bacilli by sputum or gastric culture or guinea pig inoculation and needle biopsy of pleural fluid for bacteriologic and histologic study. Recommended therapy is a regimen of isoniazid and PAS. A period of sanatorium treatment is desirable.