Clinicians frequently rely on expert opinions, which are sometimes later disproven by randomised controlled trials (RCTs). For example, intrapleural streptokinase was commonplace until the MIST-1 trial1 showed no benefit of this treatment and extra-pleural pneumonectomy was shortening the lifespans of patients with pleural mesothelioma until publication of the MARS trial2 results. Medical thoracoscopy is an important step in diagnosis and management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Medical thoracoscopy allows diagnosis and treatment in one procedure with reasonably successful pleurodesis rates.
Clinicians frequently rely on expert opinions, which are sometimes later disproven by randomised controlled trials (RCTs). For example, intrapleural streptokinase was commonplace until the MIST-1 trial1 showed no benefit of this treatment and extra-pleural pneumonectomy was shortening the lifespans of patients with pleural mesothelioma until publication of the MARS trial2 results. Medical thoracoscopy is an important step in diagnosis and management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Medical thoracoscopy allows diagnosis and treatment in one procedure with reasonably successful pleurodesis rates.