Pleural fluid

• In a pleural fluid analysis, the doctor will remove fluid from the pleural membrane area by inserting a needle into the chest cavity and suctioning the fluid into a syringe (thoracentesis). This also works as a common procedure to drain the excess fluid from the chest cavity. The fluid will then be tested to determine the cause.
• Pleural biopsy involves taking a sample of tissue from the pleura. This can be done by inserting a small needle from outside the chest wall into the chest cavity.