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Medical thoracoscopy: past, present, and future

Abstract

Background

Medical thoracoscopy is an old interventional technique that has evoluted over more than hundred years. The role of medical thoracoscopy in modern pulmonary medicine is well established, its application is accepted, and in particular for diagnosis of pleural effusion, and it also has other several diagnostic and therapeutic implications. The procedure is safe and simple, and can be done under local or general anesthesia. There are different forms of equipments that are available, but still the rigid thoracoscope is the most efficient. Medical thoracoscopy has to be strongly considered as a research tool, it provides large biopsies permitting molecular research.

Conclusion

The procedure is expected to progress more in the future with the advances in technologies that can be applied it. Egypt J Broncho 2013 7:50–52

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Correspondence to Amr Shoukri MD.

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Shoukri, A. Medical thoracoscopy: past, present, and future. Egypt J Bronchol 7, 50–52 (2013). https://doi.org/10.4103/1687-8426.123988

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