Percutaneous visceral pleural biopsy with fenestrated cup biopsy forceps.

When there is an exudative pleural effusion often both the parietal and the visceral pleura are affected, but the usual practice is to perform a percutaneous parietal pleural biopsy alone for diagnosis. Percutaneous visceral pleural biopsy was carried out in 20 patients with exudative pleural effusions with fenestrated cup biopsy forceps. In all 20 biopsies pleural tissue was obtained and it was diagnostic in 19 cases. The procedure is painless and appears safe.