Introduction: The cytological study of pleural fluids is a very simple and relatively non invasive technique, but one of the oldest cytological methods to achieve diagnosis. Cytological evaluation of the pleural fluid is performed mainly to know the presence or absence of malignant cells and to differentiate between transudate and exudates. Determining the etiologic cause of pleural fluid accumulation in pleural cavity is critical for proper treatment of these disorders. Aim: The study was conducted to know the analysis of pleural fluid effusion cases in hospital based population, Nanded district, Maharashtra state. To know the proportion of neoplastic and non neoplastic effusions and to know the pleural effusion caused by bacterial, viral and fungal infections (To rule out Transudates or Exudates), in relation to age, sex, clinical complaints and biochemical investigations. Material and Methods: The material for this study is obtained from in-patients attending the Dr SCGMC and Hospital, Nanded, Maharashtra. The study includes 265 cases of pleural fluid analysis, that is the cases of pleural effusion received from all departments namely tb-chest, medicine and surgery during the year 2016. Results: Out of 265 cases, 249 cases (93.96%) were negative for malignancy and remaining 12 cases (4.53%) were positive for malignancy. Suspicious cases were 4(1.51%). Majority were exudates and adenocarcinomas predominated in number among the malignant cases.

Keywords: Pleural Fluid; Benign; Malignant; Exudates; Mesothelial Cells.