Pleural Effusion
Medical Questions » Illnesses » Pleural Effusion
| Name: Pleural Effusion |
| Also known as: |
| Accumulation of a large amount of fluid between the pleura (a smooth, slippery, shiny membrane that lines the inside of the chest cavity) and the lung. |
Causes of Pleural Effusion
Heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, lung embolus, cancer, tuberculosis (see separate entries) and bacterial or viral infections of the lung. |
Symptoms of Pleural Effusion
Fluid restricts lung movement and may cause significant shortness of breath and a dry cough. |
Tests for Pleural Effusion
Excess fluid can be seen on a chest X-ray. |
Treatment for Pleural Effusion
Fluid removed by passing a needle through the chest wall and into the fluid collection, then drawing it off into a syringe. The fluid is examined to determine which disease is responsible for the effusion. Further treatment will depend upon the cause of the effusion.
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Complications of Pleural Effusion of its treatment
Pleurisy. |
Likely Outcome of Pleural Effusion
Depends on cause, but effusion itself usually controllable. |
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