[Determination of individual lipid parameters in non-chylous pleural effusions].

Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were measured in the pleural effusions and the corresponding serum from 52 patients suffering from non-chylous pleural effusions with different genesis. Significantly higher concentrations of lipids were found in exudates in comparison to transudates. The highest levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were found in effusions with malignant and pneumonia genesis. It was additionally observed that higher than average values were found for HDL-cholesterol in patients with malignant diseases and for LDL-cholesterol in patients with pneumonia. Transudate effusions from patients with heart insufficiency and nephrotic syndrome had significantly lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. We were unable to establish a relationship between levels in pleural fluid and serum.