Rev Pneumol Clin
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Comparative Study
[Does chemotherapy influence the postoperative mortality?].
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Pleural effusion is rarely observed in multiple myeloma, its frequence is estimated at 6%, and its myelomatous origin occurs in only 1% of the cases. It is exceptionally the first sign of multiple myeloma. ⋯ These pleural effusions were found to be caused by myeloma and were verified by the presence of the same monoclonal immunoglobulin in both plasma and pleural liquid. Atypical plasma cells were found in the pleural fluid.
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Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a minimally invasive method for exploring the distal lung. It enables collection of free cellular and acellular material present in the alveoli. Over the last two decades BAL has become a fundamental tool for positive diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and even more for differential diagnosis. ⋯ With BAL, a number of infectious or tumoral diseases can be ruled out with precision. It is also an important element for the evaluation of possible iatrogenic disease. BAL has transformed the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and considerably reduced the indications for surgical biopsy.