Our lungs are surrounded by a thin double layered lining called the pleura. This area normally contains minimal fluid which acts as a lubricant to allow for free movement of the lungs as they expand and collapse during breathing. In certain diseases, this space can get filled with excess fluid on either or both sides, termed as pleural effusion. The excess fluid compresses on the underlying lung tissue, thereby affecting breathing. This condition quite commonly, with a prevalence of over 400 per 100000 individuals.
The patient may experience symptoms depending on the underlying cause of the effusion such as cough and bloody phlegm as is seen with TB and cancers, or fevers in the case of empyema. The main symptoms include:
If the amount of fluid is small, the effusion usually resolves on its own as the pleural lining is able to absorb the fluid. Specific treatment including drainage of the fluid is considered if the patient is severely symptomatic or in case of accumulation of a large amount of fluid.
The long term course is determined by the underlying disease. In malignant pleural effusion that arises from cancers the effusion is recurrent and difficult to manage. Frequent drainage may help with symptoms, but does not stop progression of the disease. Effusions that occur from underlying infection and inflammation usually resolve completely with treatment of the disease.
This post was last modified on July 24, 2023 10:45 am
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