Table 3-7. Pleural Fluid Gross Appearance and Clinical Significance
Appearance
Significance
Transudates
Clear straw-colored Further analysis usually not
necessary
Exudates1
Cloudy, purulent
Red tinge to bloody
Green-white, turbid Milky-white or yellow-bloody Milky or green, metallic sheen
Viscous, hemorrhagic or elear Anchovy-paste color ("Chocolate sauce")
Inf ectious process, empyema If not traumatic tap: malignancy, pulmonary infaretion, trauma Rheumatoid pleuritis Chylous effusion Pseudochylous (Chyliform) effusion Mesothelioma Rupture of amebie liver abscess
Some exudates may also appear elear and straw-colored.