- May 6, 2016
- Posted by: emobile
- Category: Trending Topic
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Emobileclinic Trending Topic: Pleural Effussion
Pleural effusion, also called “water on the lung,” is an excessive buildup of fluid between the lungs and chest cavity. There is always a small amount of liquid inside the lungs. This fluid works to coat the membranes (pleura) that line the outside of your lungs and lubricate the chest cavity to aid in breathing. It is the most common manifestation of pleural disease.
A massive effusion is often attributable to an underlying malignancy. Other conditions that must be considered include the following:
Congestive heart failure
Tuberculosis (TB)
Cirrhosis with ascites
Chronic pancreatitis
How Does Pleural Effusion Develop?
The pleura create too much fluid when it’s irritated or infected. This fluid accumulates in the chest cavity outside the lung, causing what is known as pleural effusion.
Certain types of cancer, such as lung, breast, and ovarian cancers, can cause pleural effusions. Fluid also may build up as a result of certain cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Other causes of pleural effusion include:
Congestive heart failure
Cirrhosis (poor liver function)
Pulmonary embolism (blockage in the lung arteries caused by a blood clot)
Post-open-heart surgery
Pneumonia
Severe kidney disease
Symptoms of Pleural Effusion
Common symptoms of pleural effusion include:
Dry cough
Fever
Difficulty breathing when lying down
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Diagnosing Pleural Effusion
The doctor will perform a physical examination and listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. They may also order a chest X-ray to help diagnosis pleural effusion, or one of the following tests:
CT scan
Chest ultrasound
Pleural fluid analysis (or thoracentesis)
Treating Pleural Effusion
The underlying cause of the condition and the severity of the effusion will determine treatment.
Fluid drainage: this involves draining the fluid from the chest cavity, either with a needle or a small tube inserted into the chest.
Pleurodesis: this occurs after drawing excess fluid out of the chest cavity. When the fluid is removed, a doctor injects a drug (typically talc) into the area. This causes the two layers of the pleura to stick together and prevents the buildup of fluid between the two layers.
Surgery: in more serious cases, a doctor surgically inserts a shunt (small tube) into the chest cavity. This helps redirect the fluid from the chest to the abdomen, where it can be easily removed.
Pleurectomy: in which part of the pleural lining is surgically removed, is also an option in very severe cases.
Complications
Treatment for minor cases of pleural effusion is minimally invasive. Most people recover within a few days. Minor complications from treatment include slight pain and discomfort, which often go away with time. Some cases of pleural effusion can have more serious complications, depending on the severity of the condition and treatment used.
Serious complications include:
Pulmonary edema or fluid in the lungs, which can result from draining too much fluid through Thoracentisis
Partial collapsed lung
Infection or bleeding
Low blood pressure, which can result from draining fluid too rapidly
Shock