Objective    To study the thoracoscopic appearance of senile tuberculous pleurisy.     Methods    Seventy-six patients

pathologically diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy by medical thoracoscopy in our hospital from October 2006 to January 2010

were divided into a senile group (≥60 years old; n=24) and a non-senile group (60 years old; n=52). A retrospective analysis was conducted on their clinical data and thoracoscopic appearance.     Results    Both groups developed miliary or nodular lesions in the pleura

with or without adhesion. The incidence of diffuse miliary lesions or multiple white nodular lesions in the pleura of the senile group was significantly lower than that of the non-senile group (66.67% vs 90.38%

P0.05). There was no significant difference between the incidences of pleural adhesion in the two groups (P0.05).     Conclusion    The senile patients with tuberculous pleurisy have reduced distribution of miliary or nodular lesions in the pleura

and the diagnostic significance of closed pleural biopsy is limited. Therefore

thoracoscopic examination is suggested for senile patients with unknown pleural effusion.