Pleural Effusion Overview
Learn About Pleural Effusion
A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
Fluid in the chest; Fluid on the lung; Pleural fluid
The body normally produces pleural fluid in small amounts to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura. This is the thin tissue that lines the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs. Pleural effusion is an abnormal, excessive collection of this fluid.
There are two types of pleural effusion:
- Transudative pleural effusion is caused by fluid leaking into the pleural space. This is from increased pressure in the blood vessels or a low blood protein count. Heart failure is the most common cause.
- Exudative effusion is caused by blocked blood vessels or lymph vessels, inflammation, infection, lung injury, or tumors.
Risk factors for pleural effusion may include:
- Smoking and drinking alcohol, as these can cause heart, lung and liver disease, which can lead to pleural effusion
- History of any contact with asbestos
Symptoms can include any of the following:
- Chest pain, usually a sharp pain that is worse with cough or deep breaths
- Cough
- Fever and chills
- Hiccups
- Rapid breathing
- Shortness of breath
Sometimes there are no symptoms.
The goal of treatment is to:
- Remove the fluid
- Prevent fluid from building up again
- Determine and treat the cause of the fluid buildup
Removing the fluid (thoracentesis) may be done if there is a lot of fluid and it is causing chest pressure, shortness of breath, or a low oxygen level. Removing the fluid allows the lung to expand, making breathing easier.
The cause of the fluid buildup must also be treated:
- If it is due to heart failure, you may receive diuretics (water pills) and other medicines to treat heart failure.
- If it is due to an infection, antibiotics will be given. Sometimes additional treatment is needed.
- If it is from cancer, liver disease, or kidney disease, treatment should be directed at these conditions.
In people with cancer or infection, the effusion is often treated by using a chest tube to drain the fluid and treating its cause.
In some cases, any of the following treatments are done:
- Chemotherapy
- Placing medicine into the chest that prevents fluid from building up again after it is drained
- Leaving a small size tube in place for a longer period to let the fluid drain and the lung expand overtime
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Upmc Altoona Regional Health Services, Inc.
David Rose is a Radiologist in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Dr. Rose and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleural Effusion. His top areas of expertise are Ascites, Pleurisy, Pleural Effusion, Melorheostosis, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Pittsburgh Critical Care Associates Inc
Alan Kanouff is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kanouff and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleural Effusion. His top areas of expertise are Lung Metastases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pneumonia, and Emphysema.
Pittsburgh Critical Care Associates Inc
Michael Zlupko is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Dr. Zlupko and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleural Effusion. His top areas of expertise are Asbestosis, Asthma in Children, Asthma, and Lung Metastases.
The outcome depends on the underlying disease.
Complications of pleural effusion may include:
- Lung damage
- Infection that turns into an abscess, called an empyema
- Air in the chest cavity (pneumothorax) after drainage of the effusion
- Pleural thickening (scarring of the lining of the lung)
Contact your provider or go to the emergency room if you have:
- Symptoms of pleural effusion
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing right after thoracentesis
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Summary: Fluid expansion with isotonic crystalloids is a first-line intervention in the treatment of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). While it is generally accepted that the timely correction of kidney hypoperfusion will minimize the extent of injury as well as potentially facilitate recovery, there are potential harms involved in indiscriminate administration of intravenous fluids. Although antici...
Published Date: August 19, 2024
Published By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Blok BK. Thoracentesis. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 9.
Broaddus VC, Light RW. Pleural effusion. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 108.
McCool FD. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura and mediastinum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 86.