Objective To investigate the value of adenosine deaminase (ADA) for the diagnosis of tuberculous serous cavity fluidify. Methods The literatures on the application of ADA for the diagnosis of tuberculous serous cavity fluidify in the database including PUBMED and CNKI were reviewed. Results Studies including randomized controlled trial or meta-analysis have performed to determine the level of ADA in the effusion of tuberculous serous cavity fluidify. These studies have sufficiently proved that ADA is a specific and sensitive method for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Most of the studies have determined the optimal cut-off value of ADA in the effusion of tuberculous serous cavity fluidify. Conclusion Measurement of ADA in the effusion of tuberculous serous cavity fluidify is widely used as a fast, convenient, safe and effective adjunctive diagnostic method of tubeculosis in clinic.