Diagnostic utility of various gross thoracoscopic appearances in tuberculous pleural effusion and their correlation with microbiological and histopathological findings – a hospital-based prospective observational cross-sectional study

Medical thoracoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool for TPE exhibiting various gross pleural appearances, and targeted biopsy of various lesions increases the yield of microbiological and histopathological analyses. Findings such as pustules, sago grain nodules, and a few discrete nodules are highly specific for TPE, allowing for the early initiation of antitubercular therapy even before microbiological confirmation.