Medical thoracoscopy, also known as pleuroscopy, allows direct visualisation of the pleural cavity through a small access point in the chest wall. It is particularly useful in the evaluation of unexplained pleural effusions and suspected pleural disease when less invasive investigations have not established a diagnosis.

During the procedure, abnormal areas of pleura can be directly inspected and targeted biopsies obtained. Therapeutic procedures such as pleurodesis may also be performed in appropriately selected patients.