Pleural effusion is the accumulation of liquid or fluid between tissue layers which line up the chest cavity and lungs. This is also called “ Pleural fluid, fluid on the lung and fluid in the chest”.
Causes of Pleural Effusion:
Body produces pleural fluid in less amounts for lubricating the pleura surfaces, thin tissues which lines up the chest cavity and that surrounds lungs. Pleural effusion is an excessive and abnormal collection of the fluid.
Two types of effusions may develop:
- Usually exudative effusions occur from the blood vessels that leak because of inflammation of pleura. Often, this is due to lung disorders. For instance, lung infections, like pneumonia and tuberculosis, asbestosis, drug reactions and lung cancer.
- Transudative pleural effusion is caused by the leaking of fluid into pleural space. This is due to elevated pressure in or low protein content in the blood vessels. The most common cause is the congestive heart failure.
Symptoms of Pleural Effusion:
Following are the symptoms of pleural effusion:
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Hiccups
- Fever
- Cough
- Chest pain: Usually, sharp pain which worsens deep breaths and cough
.
In some cases, symptoms does not appear.
Diagnosis for Pleural Effusion:
During the physical examination, health care provider listens to the crackling sounds of breath with stethoscope and might tap on the chest for listening the dullness.
Following diagnosis tests are done to confirm the condition:
- Ultrasound scan of the chest
- Thoracic Computed Tomography
- Thoracentesis
- Pleural fluid analysis: Fluid is examined under the microscope to identify bacteria, presence of cancerous cells and protein levels.
- Chest X-ray
Treatments for Pleural Effusion:
Treatment is done for preventing fluid from accumulating, removing the fluid or addressing underlying cause for the fluid to develop.
The doctor may prescribe therapeutic thoracentesis, if fluid accumulates in large amounts and causes pressure, breathing problems, like low levels of oxygen or shortness of breath. The fluid is removed for lungs to expand and makes breathing easier. Thus, treating the underlying cause of pleural effusion becomes the goal.
For instance, pleural effusions caused by the congestive heart failure are cured with diuretics and other medicines which cure heart failure. Antibiotics are used for treating pleural effusion that is caused by infections. Chest tube is used for removing the fluid, in people with infections and cancer. Radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy or instilling medication into chest which avoids re-accumulation of fluid after draining, may be used in some people.
