Pleural effusion

• Inflammation of the Pleurae:

  • Inflammation of the parietal pleura results in pain (pleurisy)
  • Inflammation of the pleurae may result in an increase in pleural fluid (pleural effusion)
  • Inflammation of the pleurae may result in a pleural rub on auscultation
• Pleural Effusion:

  • Pleural effusion is an excess of fluid that accumulates in the pleural cavity
  • Excessive amounts of such fluid can impair breathing by limiting the expansion of the lungs during respiration
  • Pleural effusion can occur secondary to bacterial or viral infection (e.g. pneumonia or TB), primary cancer (mesothelioma), metastatic cancer (Ca breast), heart failure or pulmonary embolus

  
• Mesothelioma:

  • primary tumour of the pleura that can in itself cause pleural effusion
  • caused by exposure

  
• Management of Pleural Effusion:

  • Treatment aims to remove fluid from lung
  • Doctor may place a pigtail or intercostal chest drain (ICD) to drain the fluid
  • A surgeon may need to perform a surgical procedure as treatment of a malignant effusion (Thoracic surgery lecture)
  • Stick parietal and visceral pleura together (pleurodesis)
  • Strip off parietal pleura from chest wall (pleurectomy)