Pleural effusion is the buildup of fluid in the pleural space around the lungs, caused by respiratory diseases, heart failure, cancer, kidney and liver disease, and inflammatory disorders. Symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain, and treatment varies depending on the underlying cause. Thoracentesis can be used to remove fluid, and drains, shunts, and injected drugs are common treatments.
Pleural effusion occurs when fluid builds up in the pleural space around the lungs. Causes of pleural effusion include pneumonia, tuberculosis, heart failure, and cancer. Kidney and liver disease, as well as some inflammatory disorders, can cause pleural effusions. Treatment for pleural effusion usually focuses on resolving the underlying cause of the disorder. The effusion itself is usually treated only when the symptoms become bothersome.
There are two types of fluid that generally accumulate in the chest cavity space to cause pleural effusion. Exudate fluids are high in protein and can be quite thick in consistency. Transuded fluids have a more watery consistency. Blood, pus, and lymphatic fluids are some of the common body fluids that can build up in the pleural cavity. The type of fluid that builds up depends largely on the individual causes of the pleural effusion.
Pleural effusion symptoms can include shortness of breath and chest pain. Many patients who experience pleural effusion have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Severe pleural effusion can compress the lungs and cause difficulty breathing.
Doctors can confirm the presence of pleural effusion through the use of X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. A procedure known as a thoracentesis can be used to remove some of the fluid with a needle. Examination of this fluid is often vital to understanding the causes of pleural effusion in a particular patient.
Pleural effusion is most often related to respiratory disease. Disorders such as tuberculosis, lung cancer, and pneumonia can cause inflammation in the lungs and the tissues surrounding the lungs. Bacteria from wounds, breaks, and abscesses in the chest or abdominal cavity can cause pus to build up in the pleural cavity. Pneumonia, an often severe lung infection, can also cause pus to accumulate in the pleural space. Inflammatory conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can also be among the causes of pleural effusion, although this complication is considered rare.
While most cases of pleural effusion are related to respiratory disease, heart failure can also cause pleural effusion. Chronic heart failure damages the heart’s efficiency and can allow fluid to leak from blood vessels around the heart and into the pleural cavity. Kidney disease and cirrhosis can also be among the causes of pleural effusion, as they can cause low blood protein levels and fluid buildup in body cavities.
Treatment for pleural effusion usually varies widely, depending on the cause of the effusion. The effusion itself may be left untreated, to clarify when the underlying cause is resolved or managed. Pleural effusion is treated when pain and difficult respiratory symptoms become noticeable and bothersome. Drains, shunts, and injected drugs are among the most popular treatments for pleural effusion.
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