Thoracoscopy

A common pulmonary disorder is pleural effusion, which occurs when fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity—the space around the lungs that usually contains just a thin layer of fluid. When this space fills with excess fluid, it can lead to symptoms like breathlessness, chest pain, fever, and a feeling of heaviness in the chest. Conditions often associated with pleural effusion include pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. To examine the pleural cavity, chest X-rays and CT scans are typically used. However, when these methods are insufficient, thoracoscopy may be required. A thoracoscope, a specialized endoscope, is used to inspect the pleural cavity and collect tissue samples. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, similar to bronchoscopy.