Serum and pleural fluid lipid studies of the patient
| Parameter | Result |
| Serum cholesterol, mg·dL–1 | 120 |
| Pleural fluid cholesterol, mg·dL–1 | 330 |
| Pleural fluid triglyceride, mg·dL–1 | 89 |
| Ratio of pleural fluid to serum cholesterol | 2.75 |
| Ratio of pleural fluid cholesterol to triglyceride | 3.7 |