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Pleural fluid culture |
| Definition: |
| Pleural fluid culture is a laboratory test performed on pleural fluid (fluid in the space around the lungs). The test isolates and identifies organisms that cause infection.
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| Alternative Names: |
| Culture - pleural fluid |
| How the test is performed: |
| A sample of pleural fluid is placed on culture plates containing growth media. When colonies of microorganisms have reached sufficient size, a series of biochemical tests are performed to identify specific organisms.
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| How to prepare for the test: |
| It is important not to cough, breathe deeply, or move when the fluid sample is being taken. There is no other special preparation for the test. Infants and children: The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
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| How the test will feel: |
The specimen is obtained by thoracentesis, a needle aspiration of fluid in the pleural space. A small area on the chest is cleansed with antibacterial soap and numbed with local anesthetic. A needle is placed between the ribs, and a sample of fluid is withdrawn from the chest. You may feel a stinging sensation when the anesthetic in injected. You may feel some pressure and slight localized pain when the thoracentesis needle enters the pleural space. A chest x-ray is usually done following the test to be sure the lung tissue was not affected by the test. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| The test is performed when infection of the pleural space is suspected, or when an abnormal collection of pleural fluid shows on a chest x-ray.
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| Normal Values: |
Normally, no organisms are present in the pleural fluid. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
| Abnormal results may indicate pneumonia, tuberculosis, or a lung abscess. Pulmonary nocardiosis is an additional condition under which the test may be performed. |
| What the risks are: |
| There is a risk of internal bleeding into the lung and pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Serious complications are extremely rare.
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| Special considerations: |
The fluid smear cost and the cost of the procedure to obtain the specimen are charged separately. Other tests may be done on the sample of fluid obtained. |
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