Trends in the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract

Pleural effusion, characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, poses a diagnostic challenge owing to its diverse etiologies. This retrospective cohort study delves into the demographic distribution, prevalent etiologies, and procedural interventions concerning pleural effusion cases within a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, spanning the years 2018 to 2023.  A total of 145 cases were identified through convenience sampling of complete medical records. The study employed structured data collection tools to facilitate comprehensive data extraction. Analysis of the data was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26), ensu-ring strict adherence to ethical guidelines throughout the process. Results: Demographic and temporal distributions indicated concentrations in specific age groups and peak presentation years. Malignant Pleural Effusion, Tuberculosis, and Undiagnosed cases emerged as major etiological factors, contributing significantly to the observed patterns. Procedural interventions exhibited a predominant use of Closed Tube Thoracostomy, reflec-ting the common approach in managing pleural effusion. Gender-specific analysis revealed associ-ations between female gender and Malignant Pleural Effusion. Conclusion: This study unde-rscores the intricate nature of pleural effusion, highlighting the high prevalence of Malignant Pleural Effusion, Tuberculosis, and the diagnostic challenges inherent in Undiagnosed cases. Gender-specific variations and diverse procedural interventions underscore the complexity of managing pleural effusion in this specific population. The findings provide valuable insights for understanding and managing pleural effusion within the local context.