Case report: Thoracoscopic photodynamic therapy of refractory malignant pleural effusion - a technological innovation

An elderly female patient with metastatic breast cancer to the pleura developed a large pleural effusion. Despite repeated drainage and other interventions, the effusion persisted, and the patient presented with severe respiratory distress upon admission to our hospital. We performed medical thoracoscopy with photodynamic therapy (PDT), which not only effectively removed the pleural metastatic lesions but also resolved the persistent malignant pleural effusion. The patient's symptoms improved significantly, with no adverse reactions observed. This approach shows considerable clinical value in managing such cases.