Learn About Pleural Effusion

What is the definition of Pleural Effusion?

A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.

What are the alternative names for Pleural Effusion?

Fluid in the chest; Fluid on the lung; Pleural fluid

What are the causes of Pleural Effusion?

The body 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
What are the symptoms of Pleural Effusion?

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.

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What are the current treatments for Pleural Effusion?

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
Who are the top Pleural Effusion Local Doctors?
Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery

Ou Health Partners Inc

800 Ne 10th St, Ouhp Stephenson Cancer Ce, 
Oklahoma City, OK 
 1.2 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

James Reinersman is a Thoracic Surgeon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Reinersman and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleural Effusion. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Reinersman is currently accepting new patients.

Pulmonary Medicine | Intensive Care Medicine
Pulmonary Medicine | Intensive Care Medicine

Saints Medical Group, LLC

608 Nw 9th St, Suite 1100, 
Oklahoma City, OK 
 0.7 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Syed Naqvi is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Naqvi and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleural Effusion. His top areas of expertise are Emphysema, Pneumonia, Lung Metastases, Bullae, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Naqvi is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Vascular Surgery | Thoracic Surgery
Vascular Surgery | Thoracic Surgery

Saints Medical Group, LLC

608 Nw 9th St, Suite 2200, 
Oklahoma City, OK 
 0.7 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Clifford Howell is a Vascular Surgeon and a Thoracic Surgeon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Howell and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pleural Effusion. His top areas of expertise are Pleural Effusion, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, Lung Adenocarcinoma, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), and Heart Bypass Surgery. Dr. Howell is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Pleural Effusion?

The outcome depends on the underlying disease.

What are the possible complications of Pleural Effusion?

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)
When should I contact a medical professional for Pleural Effusion?

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
What are the latest Pleural Effusion Clinical Trials?
A Phase II Study of AK112 (PD-1/VEGF Bispecific) in Combination with Chemotherapy for Patients with Advanced Non-squamas Non-mall Cell Lung Cancer and Malignant Pleural Effusion

Summary: This is a phase II study. All patients are stage IV non-squamas non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) with malignant pleura effusion, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AK112 in combination with chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC with malignant pleura effusion.

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A Randomized Trial of Alteplase Versus Placebo Through an Indwelling Pleural Catheter for Management of Symptomatic Septated MPE

Summary: This study investigates whether alteplase can help to improve pleural fluid drainage and dyspnea (breathlessness) in patients with non-draining malignant pleural effusion. Alteplase helps dissolve blood clots and is used to treat heart attacks, strokes, and clots in the lungs. Alteplase may help to control symptoms of breathlessness.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 31, 2022
Published By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

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, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 92.