Pleural glucose is <60 mg/dl is seen in which of the following condition?: (A) Malignancy, (B) TB, (C) Fungal, (D) Pancreatitis
Answer is B. Pleural TB is characterised by straw coloured pleural fluid;an exudate with a protein concentration>50% of that in serum,a normal to low glucose concentration(usually less than 60 mg/dL.),a pH of approx.7.3,and detectable WBCs(usually 500-6000/microL). Effusion secondary to malignancy is characterised by an exudate with reduced glucose level if the tumor burden is high enough.Pleural fluid secondary to pancreatitis shows elevated amylase levels. Referensce:Harrison's medicine-18th edition,page no:1346,2179.