Light RW, et. al. Pleural Effusions: The Diagnostic Separation of Transudates and Exudates. Ann Intern Med. 1972;77:507-513. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-77-4-507

Ali HA, Lippmann M, Mundathaje U, Khaleeq G. Spontaneous hemothorax: a comprehensive review. Chest. Nov 2008;134(5):1056-65

Light RW. Clinical practice. Pleural effusion. N Engl J Med. Jun 20 2002;346(25):1971-7.

Light RW, Erozan YS, Ball WC Jr. Cells in pleural fluid. Their value in differential diagnosis. Arch Intern Med. Dec 1973;132(6):854-60.

Dr. Richard W. Light

Light's Criteria for Exudative Effusions

serum_protein

pleural_protein

serum_ldh

pleural_ldh

upper_limit_serum_ldh

Determines if pleural fluid is exudative or transudative.

Pleural effusion: exudative vs transudative.

Light's Criteria

Sagar Patel, MD, is currently a fellow in hematology and oncology at the Cleveland Clinic. A native of Minneapolis, he attended the University of Minnesota for both his medical school and internal medicine residency training. Dr. Patel’s areas of interest include health informatics and its advancement of clinical care and research realms. His disease research interests include leukemias, lymphomas, plasma cell neoplasms, and bone marrow transplantation.

Sagar Patel, MD

Light's Criteria is a diagnostic tool used to determine if pleural fluid is exudative. This is crucial for identifying the underlying cause of pleural effusions, which can range from malignancy to infections. By evaluating the ratios of pleural fluid protein to serum protein and pleural fluid LDH to serum LDH, clinicians can make informed decisions about further diagnostic and therapeutic steps. Light's Criteria is highly sensitive for exudative effusions, making it a valuable resource in clinical practice.

Pleural Fluid LDH

Pleural Fluid Protein

Total Serum Protein

Serum LDH

Upper Limit of Normal Serum LDH

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Light's Criteria for Exudative Effusions

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