Role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diagnosis of pleural effusion of different origins

AbstractBackgroundThe undiagnosed pleural effusions are an important clinical problem so scientists spent much effort and time in searching for a new parameter to help in the diagnosis of pleural effusions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) helps in differentiation between malignant and inflammatory pleural effusions and might play an important role in tumor progression and the formation of malignant effusions.Aim of the workTo determine the level of pleural fluid VEGF in order to evaluate its value as a marker for differentiation between different types of pleural effusions.Subjects and methodsThe present study was conducted on 73 patients with pleural effusion, admitted to Kasr Elaini Hospital (Chest Department) during the period from August 2011 to October 2012, after having their written consent. All patients were subjected basically to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, plain chest radiography thoracentesis. Medical thoracoscopy was carried out for cases with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion (n=46).ResultsPleural fluid VEGF, and pleural fluid VEGF/serum VEGF ratio both are highest in malignant pleural effusion with statistically high significance (p