Table 6 The serum levels of immunoglobulin G-4 and CEA based on the final diagnosis

Metastatic adenocarcinoma

93.52 ± 19.34

68.71 ± 28.98

Para-pneumonic effusion

138.47 ± 67.98

0.36 ± 0.26

IgG4-related effusion

725 ± 225.45

1.21 ± 0.67

Caseating tuberculous granuloma

109.40 ± 22.67

0.43 ± 0.22

Malignant mesothelioma

70 ± 16.24

79.50 ± 29.47

Pulmonary embolism

103.33 ± 44.11

0.43 ± 0.29

P value

< 0.001

< 0.001