Bayhan, Gulsum IclalSayir, FuatTanir, GonulTuncer, Oguz2025-05-102025-05-1020182212-553110.4103/ijmy.ijmy_91_182-s2.0-85053163563https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_91_18https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14720/6216Background: Pleural tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is sometimes controversial because the microbiologic confirmation ratio is very low in pleural fluid. There are few pediatric pleural TB case series in the literature. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated our TB cases below 18 years of age and extracted pleural TB cases. Results: Seven cases with pleural TB were identified. About 42.9% of the patients had isolated pleural TB whereas 57.10% of the patients had accompanying pulmonary TB. Lymphocytic pleural effusion and increased adenosine deaminase (ADA) (>40 U/L) level are found in 85.7% of the patients. Six patients had uncomplicated effusion (transudate) according to Light's criteria and one had complicated effusion (exudate). Lung decortication was needed in three patients. All patients were given 6 months anti-TB medication and recovered completely. Conclusion: In the lymphocyte-predominant pleural effusion, an increased ADA level highly supported TB disease. The complicated effusion (exudate) in pleural TB is not rule; uncomplicated effusion (transudate) could be seen.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessChildrenExudatePleuraTransudateTuberculosisArticle73N/AQ326126430198507WOS:000444335900011