The bacilli responsible for pleural tuberculosis is usually introduced into the pleural space by discharge from a pulmonary focus or subpleural lymphnodes. The onset of symptoms are usually abrupt. They are characterized by fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, dullness to percussion and diminished breath sound. The fever can be very high and may last several weeks. Symptoms may also be indolent also.
Prognosis is much better in children than adults.
In diagnosis of this disease a biopsy with culture usually gives the best yield. Acid fast bacilli smear is usually negative. In pleural fluids there is a raised concentration of protein and a lower concentration of glucose. High leukocyte presence is also a common manifestation in the pleural fluid. This disease responds particularly well to medication.