HYALURONIC-ACID IN PLEURAL FLUIDS - ADDITIONAL PARAMETER FOR CLINICAL-DIAGNOSIS ON DIFFUSE MESOTHELIOMAS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (2) , 146-154
Abstract
Pleural fluids of 187 patients of various etiology are examined for hyaluronic acid. The colorimetric method of Morgan-Elson was used for this purpose. The mucopolysaccharide was identified in 34 cases: 18 in 30 cases of diffuse mesotheliomas, 1 in 74 cases of secondary tumors of the pleura, 8 in 20 cases of tuberculous pleurisy, 5 in 37 cases of nonspecific pleurisy and 2 in 6 cases of purulent pleurisy. A level of > 212 mg/l was detected in 10 cases of mesotheliomas only. Such a concentration is consequently the proof for diffuse mesothelioma. The diagnostical improvement in other cases of mesotheliomas resulted from a combination of the following parameters; coagulation of protein by the method of Weltmann, cytological investigation of cell sedimentation and measurement of hyaluronic acid. The value of detection and measurement of hyaluronic acid in pleural fluids in the diagnosis of diffuse mesotheliomas is discussed.