Traitement médical des pleurésies

The indication of thoracic drainage still remains controversial and for many authors is led by the measure of pleural fluid pH and pleural glucose. However it's important to know that the measure of pleural pH may vary depending on sampling conditions. The size of chest tube does not seem to influence the evolution of the disease and there is no consensus for the use of intrapleural fibrinolysis since the last publications. Pleural assessment by videothoracoscopy is interesting to carefully explore the pleural cavity. Infectious pleurisy requires early treatment with a multidisciplinary approach.