Neutrophil predominance |
– Parapneumonic effusion – Pulmonary embolism – Early tuberculous pleuritis – Benign asbestos pleural effusion |
Lymphocyte predominance |
– Malignancy – Tuberculous pleuritis – Lymphoma – Cardiac failure – Post cardiac injury – Rheumatoid effusion – Chylothorax – Uremic pleuritis – Sarcoidosis – Yellow nail syndrome – Pulmonary embolism |
Eosinophilia (≥10% of nucleated cells) |
– Parapneumonic effusion – Drug-induced pleuritis – Benign asbestos pleural effusion – Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis – Lymphoma – Pulmonary embolism – Parasitic infestation – Malignancy |
Pleural eosinophilia is a relatively nonspecific finding. |
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Adapted from Thorax. 2010;65 Suppl 2:ii4-17. |