Patients with unilateral pleural effusion with high protein content (exudative pleural effusion) are likely to have malignant pleural effusion. In the Danish guidelines, patient undergo two thoracentesis before more invasive procedures, due to the relatively low incidens of pleural TB and mesothelioma. The aim of the research group is to investigate the effect of early introduction of ultrasound-guided pleural biopsy taken at the optimal sport for thoracentesis. The research group will randomise half of our patients with unilateral pleural exudate to up-front ultrasound-guided biopsy and the other half usual care eg. a second thoracentesis, to see if there is a benefit of early pleural biopsy in the work-up of patients with unilateral pleural effusion, suspected of malignant pleural effusion.
The research group will investigate the diagnostic effect of early introduction of ultrasound guided pleural biopsy in the work-up of patients with one-sided pleural effusion, suspected of malignant pleural effusion.