Efficacy of sonographic and biological pleurodesis indicators of malignant pleural effusion (SIMPLE): protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open Respiratory Research 2017 November [Link] Psallidas I et.al Abstract INTRODUCTION: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is common and currently in UK there are an estimated 50 000 new cases of MPE per year. Talc pleurodesis remains one of the most popular methods for fluid control. The value of thoracic ultrasound (TUS) imaging, before and…

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Pleural effusion biomarkers and computed tomography findings in diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma: A retrospective study in a single center.

PLoS One 2017 October [Link] Otoshi T, Kataoka Y, Ikegaki S, Saito E, Matsumoto H, Kaku S, Shimada M, Hirabayashi M Abstract In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical value of the pleural effusion (PE) biomarkers, soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and the utility of…

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Clinical staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma: current perspectives

Lung Cancer 2017 August [Link] Bonomi M, De Filippis C, Lopci E, Gianoncelli L, Rizzardi G, Cerchiaro E, Bortolotti L, Zanello A, Ceresoli G Abstract Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a disease with limited therapeutic options, the management of which is still controversial. Diagnosis is usually made by thoracoscopy, which allows multiple biopsies with histological…

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Diagnostic value of medical thoracoscopy in malignant pleural effusion

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2017 August [Link] Wu YB, Xu LL, Wang XJ, Wang Z, Zhang J, Tong ZH, Shi HZ Abstract BACKGROUND: Medical thoracoscopy has been shown to be an efficacious procedure in diagnosing unexplained exudative pleural effusions with excellent safety. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic significance of thoracoscopy in the management of…

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Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in the Rational Assessment of Mesothelioma (DIAPHRAGM) study: protocol of a prospective, multicentre, observational study

BMJ Open 2016 November 24 [Link] Tsim S, Kelly C, Alexander L, McCormick C, Thomson F, Woodward R, Foster JE, Stobo DB, Paul J, Maskell NA, Chalmers A, Blyth KG Abstract INTRODUCTION: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an asbestos-related cancer, which is difficult to diagnose. Thoracoscopy is frequently required but is not widely available. An…

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Rare presentation of a localised malignant pleural mesothelioma with cranial metastasis

BMJ Case Reports 2016 October 4 [Link] Ertan G, Eren A, Ulus S Abstract Mesothelioma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm and a localised form of the pleura is especially very rare. Diagnosis of localised malignant pleural mesothelioma (LMPM) is very challenging. Histopathological verification is the gold standard, and studies such as CT, positron emission tomography…

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Validation of EORTC and CALGB prognostic models in surgical patients submitted to diagnostic, palliative or curative surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Journal of Thoracic Disease 2016 August 8 [Link] Sandri A, Guerrera F, Roffinella M, Olivetti S, Costardi L, Oliaro A, Filosso PL, Lausi PO, Ruffini E Abstract BACKGROUND: To assess the trend of our surgical patients affected by malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and submitted to diagnostic/palliative or curative surgical procedures and to validate the European Organisation for Research…

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