In some patients, the pleura is affected by tuberculosis, even though the lungs are by far the most common site of the disease and can also be affected. The pleura is a thin membrane between the inside of the ribs and the outside of the lungs. The disease is known as pleural tuberculosis or tuberculous pleurisy. The inflammation of the pleura often causes an accumulation of fluid between the lungs and the chest, which can cause shortness of breath. The fluid is punctured with a small needle, drained and examined in the laboratory for tuberculosis and other diseases. This so-called pleural puncture can often improve breathing. Often, an additional procedure called a pleuroscopy or thoracoscopy is necessary. This involves examining the chest cavity through a small incision with a device (laparoscope) and taking specific samples to detect tuberculosis. Pleural tuberculosis is treated in the same way as pulmonary tuberculosis. After completing the treatment, patients are usually completely cured.