[Special diagnosis of pleural metastasis].

In 58% of cases diagnosis of pleural metastases is confirmed by identification of malignant cells in pleural effusions. Sensitivity of pleural punch biopsies ranges about the same. Combination of both methods increases success rate up to 75%. Thoracoscopy has a sensitivity of about 89%, charged with complications in 1.7%, and over-shadowed by a lethality of 0.08%. Classical thoracoscopy after Jacobäus has to be differentiated from Maassen's method, using the mediastinoscope. Highest success rates are achieved by means of diagnostics thoracotomy, which in fact is restricted to isolated cases, where previous methods proved unsuccessful.