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Diagnostic Procedures

• Thoracentesis
  • If a pleural effusion of > 1 cm is detected on lateral decubitus chest x-ray, the fluid should be sampled for studies including Gram’s stain, culture, cell counts, and measurements of protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, and pH.
  • See Pleuritis.
• Bronchoscopy/bronchoalveolar lavage/lung biopsy:
  • May be required to obtain material for further studies when the diagnosis defies other diagnostic efforts and the patient does not improve despite empirical therapy
    

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