Objectives: To determine the clinical value of tumor supplied group of factor (TSGF) combined with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in diagnosing tukerculosis pleural effusion and malignant pleurul effusion.
Methods: TSGF and CEA were detected by ELISA in 14 patients with tuberculosis pleural effusion and 28 patients with malignant pleural effusion.
Results: The average levels of TSGF and CEA in patients with malignant pleural effusion were higher than those with tuberculosis pleural effusion. The diagnostic sensitivity of TSGF and CEA in the malignant pleural effusion was 67.5% and 57.5%, the specificity was 85.7% and 78.6%, and the agreement rate was 72.2% and 62.9% respectively; while the sensitivity, specificity and agreement rate of TSGF combined with CEA were 93%, 67.4%, and 88.9%.
Conclusion: The sensitivity and agreement rate of TSGF combined with CEA are higher than those of either of the two methods. TSGF combined with CEA is important in differentiating tuberculosis and malignant pleural effusion.