Pleural fluid analysis examines fluid collected from the space around a lung.
The pleural space is the thin space around a lung. An abnormal build-up of fluid there is called a pleural effusion. A needle procedure called thoracentesis collects some fluid so the laboratory can examine it.
Protein and other measurements, sometimes compared with blood, help classify the fluid and guide further tests. The analysis may narrow possible causes, but it does not always establish one diagnosis. The fluid result, the effusion itself, and the sampling procedure are separate parts of the assessment.

BaluMed makes medicine understandable! Our extensive medical report explanation 'translates' complex medical terms from MRI findings and discharge summaries into easily understandable language. With a combination of artificial intelligence and medical expertise, we offer quickly available and reliable information.