[Pleural biopsy in the diagnosis of pleurisy: potentialities and efficiency].

The results of pleural biopsy were analyzed in 293 patients with exudative pleurisy, among whom a group of free pleurisy included 88 cases, encapsulated pleurisy and pleural obliteration were observed in 156 and 11 patients, respectively. Thoracoscopy with visual pinching pleural biopsy was performed in 59 patients puncture pleural biopsy was made in 234 patients. There is evidence for that thoracoscopic pleural biopsy had a significant advantage in pleurisy in the phase of organization. An original procedure that has allowed indications for thoracoscopic pleural biopsy to be expanded by covering patients with pleurisy in the phase of organization is presented.