0
What else can I help you with?
Can the pleural effusion came back following the heart surgery?
Yes, a pleural effusion, can and often does (but not always) come back following heart surgery. However, it depends greatly on what type of heart surgery is performed, what type of pleural effusion was there prior, the underlying disease process, etc. Pleural effusions are caused by many things. Thus, if the heart was the reason for the pleural effusion prior to heart surgery, once the heart condition is "fixed", someone can develop a pleural effusion from an entirely different disease process (e.g., lung cancer). I assume what you are referring to is in patients with congestive heart failure, pleural effusions (or fluid present between the lungs and the chest wall) often develop. Congestive heart failure can be caused by a number of things (for example, coronary artery disease, faulty valves within the heart, medications, etc.). So let's say a patient who has coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries feeding the heart) has suffered a couple of mild heart attacks in the past, a portion of the heart might not be pumping as it should, and therefore, leads to congestive heart failure, in which fluid builds up in tissues and organs (including the pleural cavity). The purpose of doing a CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) is to allow more blood flow to the heart, and in doing so, to hopefully reduce the amount of congestive heart failure, and thus, reduce the chances for a pleural effusion.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of pleural thickening?
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.
What are some signs of Mesothelioma?
Pleural Mesothelioma SymptomsSome of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the lung lining) include:pain in the lower back or the side of the chest (over half of patients experience this)chest pain under the rib cageshortness of breatha dry persistent cough, which may bring up blooddifficulty swallowing (food or liquids)hoarsenessswelling of the face and armsfever and sweatingfatigueabdominal swellingabdominal painunexplained weight lossSome of the symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma.However, a pleural effusion, one of the most common and specific symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, is the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest cavity. This generally causes shortness of breath, and requires a doctor to drain the fluid, to make breathing easier and relieve chest pain. This symptom is more unique to mesothelioma, making it more likely that you may have the disease.You can find much more information at http://www.mesothelioma-data.com
Pleural fluid analysis?
DefinitionPleural fluid analysis examines fluid that has collected in the pleural space -- the small area outside of the lungs but inside the chest cavity.See also: Pleural effusionHow the test is performedA procedure called thoracentesis is used to get a sample of pleural fluid. The health care provider examines the sample to look for:Cancerous (malignant) cellsCellular makeupChemical contentTiny organisms that can cause disease (microorganisms)How to prepare for the testThe test is no more invasive than having blood drawn. There is no special preparation. Do not cough, breathe deeply, or move during the test to avoid injury to the lung.You may have a chest x-ray before or after the test. Tell your doctor if you take medicines to thin the blood.How the test will feelYou will sit on the edge of a chair or bed with your head and arms resting on a table. The health care provider will clean the skin around the insertion site and drape the area. A local pain-killing medicine (anesthetic) is injected into the skin, which stings a bit, but only for a few seconds.The thoracentesis needle is inserted above the rib into the pocket of fluid. As fluid drains into a collection bottle, many people cough a bit as the lung reexpands to fill the space where fluid had been. This sensation normally lasts for a few hours after the test is completed. Tell your health care provider if you have sharp chest pain or shortness of breath.Why the test is performedThe test is performed to determine the cause of a pleural effusion, and to relieve the shortness of breath that a large pleural effusion can cause.Normal ValuesNormally the pleural cavity contains less than 20 milliliters (4 teaspoons) of clear, yellowish (serous) fluid.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may indicate possible causes of pleural effusion, such as:Cancer (neoplasm)CirrhosisHeart failureInfectionIf the health care provider suspects an infection, a culture of the fluid is done to check for bacteria.The test may also be performed for hemothorax, a collection of blood in the pleura.What the risks areThe risks of thoracentesis are:Collapse of the lung (pneumothorax)Excessive loss of bloodFluid re-accumulationInfectionPulmonary edemaRespiratory distressSerious complications are uncommon.ReferencesBroaddus VC, Light RW. Pleural effusion. In: Mason RJ, Murray J, Broaddus VC, Nadel J, eds. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2005:chap 68.
When should i worry about chest pain in the lower part of my chest?
Your chest contains many organs, like the heart, lungs with its pleural covering, esophagus, muscles, ribs, tendons, and nerves. They all can be the source of the pain that you are feeling. It could be a hiatal hernia, muscle exertion, etc. You probably should see your doctor if the pain is severe and doesn't go away.
Where might one find information on pleural effusions?
One might find information on pleural effusions by going to the Patient website. The website has information about many medical occurrences, including pleural effusions.
What is a pleural based opacity?
Pleural-based opacity refers to opacity seen in X-rays along the pleural surface. The opacity or silhouettes can mean many things like signs of injuries, possible thickening, or indications of disease.
How many milliliters are in a ice chest?
The volume of an ice chest can vary widely based on its size and design. Ice chests typically range from small cooler bags holding about 5 liters (5,000 milliliters) to large, heavy-duty coolers that can hold 100 liters (100,000 milliliters) or more. To determine the exact volume in milliliters, you would need to check the specific capacity of the ice chest you have in mind.
What is an excessive buildup of fluid in the lungs called?
The human body produces a small amount of pleura liquid in order to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura. Pleura is the thin tissue which surrounds the lungs and also lines the chest cavity. When an excessive collection of this fluid occurs, this will lead to pleural effusion.Exudative pleural effusions: One of the causes for fluid build up in lungs could be through exudative pleural effusions. Some of the causes of exudative pleural effusions aredrug reactioninjury to the lungsinhalation of toxinsblocked blood vesselskidney failure or kidney diseasescancerpulmonary embolism (blockage of lung blood vessels)viral infectionbacterial pneumoniaHigh altitude
Why is there an film of liquid in the pleural cavity?
The pleural space contains this fluid to reduce friction between the interior chest wall lining and the exterior lung surface lining. Think of two pieces of flat glass pane one on top of the other. With a tiny amount of liquid between them the glass pieces slide across each other easily; without the liquid the glass pieces are more difficult to move. The pleural liquid provides this ability for the two linings to move easily as the lung and chest wall expand and contract during inspiration and expiration. The pleural space is not truly a space as we might think of as an air containing room, but rather a compartment filled with a thin serous type fluid. The fluid is rather static. That is to say the body physiologically maintains the amount of fluid at a constant level. Given infections or other intrusions into the pseudo space, the fluid content may increase and become painful; ie pleurisy. That is the overall simplified version to answer your question. There are many other issues surrounding the pleural space but that would go much further into your question.
How many specimens are required for a pleural biopsy?
As many as three separate specimens are taken from different sites during the procedure.
What is the blood and water of Jesus side?
Could the water have come from lungs, and could this prove that Jesus was a man and not the son of GodAnswer:The blood and water from Jesus' side flowed after he was pierced by a Roman soldier with a spear. Jesus suffered many severe wounds from His scourging and crucifixion and is thought to have been in hypovolemic shock which caused fluid to gather in the sack around the heart and lungs. The gathering of fluid in the sack around the heart is called pericardial effusion and the fluid gathering around the lungs is called pleural effusion. The spear of the Roman soldier probably passed through the heart and a lung of Jesus releasing this build up of fluids.
