A pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
Alternative NamesFluid in the chest; Fluid on the lung; Pleural fluid
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsYour body produces pleural fluid in small amounts to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura, the thin tissue that lines the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs. A pleural effusion is an abnormal, excessive collection of this fluid.
Two different types of effusions can develop:
Sometimes there are no symptoms.
Signs and testsDuring a physical examination, the doctor will listen to the sound of your breathing with a stethoscope and may tap on your chest to listen for dullness.
The following tests may help to confirm a diagnosis:
Treatment may be directed at removing the fluid, preventing it from accumulating again, or addressing the underlying cause of the fluid buildup.
Therapeutic thoracentesis may be done if the fluid collection is large and causing pressure, shortness of breath, or other breathing problems, such as low oxygen levels. Removing the fluid allows the lung to expand, making breathing easier. Treating the underlying cause of the effusion then becomes the goal.
For example, pleural effusions caused by congestive heart failure are treated with diuretics (water pills) and other medications that treat heart failure. Pleural effusions caused by infection are treated with appropriate antibiotics. In people with cancer or infections, the effusion is often treated by using a chest tube for several days to drain the fluid. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or instilling medication into the chest that prevents re-accumulation of fluid after drainage may be used in some cases.
Expectations (prognosis)The expected outcome depends upon the underlying disease.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of pleural effusion.
Call your provider or go to the emergency room if shortness of breath or difficulty breathing occurs immediately after thoracentesis.
A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
Alternative NamesFluid in the chest; Fluid on the lung; Pleural fluid
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsYour body produces pleural fluid in small amounts to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura, the thin tissue that lines the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs. A pleural effusion is an abnormal, excessive collection of this fluid.
Two different types of effusions can develop:
Sometimes there are no symptoms.
Signs and testsDuring a physical examination, the doctor will listen to the sound of your breathing with a stethoscope and may tap on your chest to listen for dullness.
The following tests may help to confirm a diagnosis:
Treatment aims to:
Therapeutic thoracentesis may be done if the fluid collection is large and causing chest pressure, shortness of breath, or other breathing problems, such as low oxygen levels. Removing the fluid allows the lung to expand, making breathing easier. Treating the cause of the effusion then becomes the goal.
For example, pleural effusions caused by congestive heart failure are treated with diuretics (water pills) and other medications that treat heart failure. Pleural effusions caused by infection are treated with appropriate antibiotics. In people with cancer or infections, the effusion is often treated by using a chest tube for several days to drain the fluid.
Sometimes, small tubes can be left in the pleural cavity for a long time to drain the fluid. In some cases, the following may be done:
The expected outcome depends upon the underlying disease.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of pleural effusion.
Call your provider or go to the emergency room if shortness of breath or difficulty breathing occurs immediately after thoracentesis.
ReferencesBroaddus C, Light RW. Pleural effusion. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus CV, Martin TR, et al, eds. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 73.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The sound is actually called a Pleural rub.
pneumothorax
A procedure in which fluid is withdrawn from the pleural cavity through a needle inserted between the ribs
The initial symptoms of pleural thickening are hard to detect, but sufferers often experience difficulty breathing and a slight pain or tightness in the chest after physical exertion. Symptoms may take many years to develop and can vary from individual to individual.
DefinitionBreath sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing.See also: WheezingAlternative NamesLung sounds; Breathing soundsConsiderationsThe lung sounds are best heard with a stethoscope. This is called auscultation.Normal lung sounds occur in all parts of the chest area, including above the collarbones and at the bottom of the rib cage. Using a stethoscope, the doctor may hear normal breath sounds, decreased or absent breath sounds, and abnormal breath sounds.Absent or decreased sounds can mean:Air or fluid in or around the lungs (pneumonia, heart failure, pleural effusion)Increased thickness of the chest wallOver-inflation of a part of the lungs (emphysema can cause this)Reduced airflow to part of the lungsThere are several types of abnormal breath sounds. The 4 most common are:RalesRhonchiStridorWheezingRales are small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung. They are believed to occur when air opens closed air spaces. Rales can be further described as moist, dry, fine, and coarse.Rhonchi are sounds that resemble snoring. They occur when air is blocked or becomes rough through the large airways.Wheezes are high-pitched sounds produced by narrowed airways. They can be heard when a person breathes out (exhales). Wheezing and other abnormal sounds can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope.Stridor is a wheeze-like sound heard when a person breathes. Usually it is due to a blockage of airflow in the windpipe (trachea) or in the back of the throat.Common CausesAcute bronchitisAsthmaBronchiectasisChronic bronchitisEmphysemaInterstitial lung diseaseForeign body obstruction of the airwayPneumoniaPulmonary edemaTracheobronchitisCall your health care provider ifNasal flaringand cyanosis are emergency symptoms. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath can be an emergency condition. Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms.Contact your health care provider if you have wheezing or other abnormal breathing sounds.See also: Breathing difficultyWhat to expect at your health care provider's officeYour health care provider will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history and your breathing.Questions may include:When did the breathing sound start?How long did it last?How would you describe your breathing?What makes it better or worse?What other symptoms do you have?The health care provider usually discovers abnormal breath sounds. You may not even notice them.The following tests may be done:Analysis of a sputum sample (sputum culture, sputum gram stain)Blood tests (including an arterial blood gas)Chest x-rayCT scan of the chestPulmonary function tests
drain...
The mortality of pleural effusion depends on various factors such as underlying cause, patient's overall health, and timely treatment. In general, if pleural effusion is treated promptly and effectively, the mortality rate is low. However, severe or untreated cases can lead to complications such as respiratory failure and sepsis, which can increase mortality risk.
To increase oxygenation/ventilation of the unaffected lung
The pleural effusion is any abnormal amount of fluid all around the lungs. It can result to varying types of medical conditions.
DefinitionAsbestos-related pleural effusion is a collection of fluid around the lung that generally develops a few years after asbestos exposure. The fluid collection is not harmful and usually goes away on its own.See: Pleural effusionAlternative NamesPleural effusion - asbestos-related
no pleural effusion no pulmonary nodule no endobronchial lessions of the lungs
Yes. Deadly.
You can not take deep breath in pleural effusion. The entry of the air is restricted on the affected side. The plain X ray is diagnostic of the condition.
Pleural drain that patient can drain fluid from pleural effusion or ascites on own.
30% - 50%.
yes
511.81