Search results
Nov 15, 2023 · Exudative effusions occur when blood or lymph vessels are blocked due to inflammation, infection, lung injury, or tumors. 3 Hemorrhagic pleural effusion is defined as an erythrocyte count greater than 100,000 cells/µl. 2. Symptoms vary based on the underlying disease and cause of the effusion.
People also ask
What is a pleural effusion?
What causes pleural effusion?
What is hemorrhagic pleural effusion?
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
- Resources
Pleural effusion is a collection of fluid around your lungs. Your provider has to get rid of this fluid with medicine or a procedure. Also, they need to diagnose and treat the condition that caused pleural effusion. Treatments range from medicine to surgery. Pleural effusion can happen more than once. Your outlook depends on what caused it.
Contents
Arrow Down
OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving WithResources
Contents
Arrow Down
What are the symptoms of pleural effusion?
You may have unrelated symptoms due to the disease or condition that caused pleural effusion. Pleural effusion symptoms include: Chest pain. Coughing or deep breathing makes it worse. Dyspnea (shortness of breath, or difficult, labored breathing). Orthopnea (the inability to breathe easily unless you’re sitting up straight or standing up straight). Some people with pleural effusion have no symptoms. They find out they have pleural effusion when they have a chest X-ray for another reason.
What causes pleural effusion?
There are many causes of pleural effusion, and some people have more than one. Depending on the cause, the excess fluid may be either protein-poor (transudative) or protein-rich (exudative). These two categories help providers determine the cause of the pleural effusion. A pulmonary embolism (PE) can fall under either category. The most common causes of transudative (watery fluid) pleural effusions include: Heart failure. Cirrhosis. Nephrotic syndrome (a kidney issue). Common causes of exudative (protein-rich fluid) pleural effusions include: Pneumonia. Cancer (lung cancer, breast cancer or lymphoma). Kidney disease. Inflammatory disease. Post open-heart surgery. Less common causes of pleural effusion include: Tuberculosis. Autoimmune disease. Bleeding from chest trauma. Chylothorax (chyle from your lymphatic system after trauma). Rare chest and abdominal infections. Exposure to asbestos. Esophageal rupture. Pancreatitis. Meig’s syndrome (from a benign ovarian tumor). Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Certain medications. Abdominal surgery. Radiation therapy. In some cases, the fluid itself may have malignant (cancerous) cells or may be a direct result of chemotherapy.
What are the complications of pleural effusion?
Pleural effusion can lead to: An infection that becomes an abscess. Scarring around the lungs. Damage to your lungs.
How is pleural effusion diagnosed?
A provider will ask you about your medical history. They’ll ask what other illnesses you have and when your symptoms started. They’ll do a physical exam, which includes listening to your lungs when you breathe. Next, they’ll order tests.
How is pleural effusion treated?
Treatment of pleural effusion focuses on getting the excess fluid out and keeping it from collecting again. Providers choose pleural effusion treatment based on the underlying condition and whether the effusion is making it hard for you to breathe.
How long does it take to recover from this treatment?
You may need to take it easy for two days after a thoracentesis. If you have VATS, you may need to spend a few days in the hospital afterward. After a thoracotomy (open surgery), you’ll probably be in the hospital for a week. Care at Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Therapy Make an Appointment
How can I lower my risk of pleural effusion?
You may not be able to avoid the many causes of pleural effusion. But you can lower your risk of pleural effusions in these ways: Avoiding tobacco products. Avoiding asbestos. Sticking to low-salt meals if your provider instructs you to. Taking prescribed diuretics (water pills). Limiting fluid intake if your provider tells you to.
What can I expect if I have pleural effusion?
You may have follow-up X-rays after you receive treatment. Your provider will want to make sure the treatment worked well. You’ll also need treatment for the medical condition that caused pleural effusion. The seriousness of your condition depends on: The main cause of pleural effusion. If it’s affecting your breathing. If it responds well to treatment.
Outlook for pleural effusion
The outlook or prognosis varies depending on what caused your pleural effusion and what other conditions you have. For some people, pleural effusion treatment is successful. But pleural effusions can happen again. The outlook isn’t good when you have a pleural effusion from cancer. It’s also not good if you don’t get treatment for pleural effusion.
How do I take care of myself?
Some medical conditions that cause pleural effusion require long-term treatment. Be sure to talk with your provider about the best treatment for your chronic (long-term) condition. Then, stick to the treatment plan.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Go to all your follow-up appointments to manage your chronic condition. Get immediate help if you’re having trouble breathing.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You may want to ask your provider: What caused my pleural effusion? How often do I need follow-up appointments with you? What are my chances of getting a pleural effusion again? What are the long-term effects of my pleural effusion? A note from Cleveland Clinic So you have pleural effusion and you may not have even had symptoms. Diagnosing the cause of it is key. Once your provider knows the cause, they can take steps to treat it. Answering their questions can help them rule out some potential causes. It can be scary when you have trouble breathing, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you want to understand better.
Medically Reviewed
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/18/2023.
Learn more about our editorial process.
References
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Apr 24, 2023 · Pleural effusion, also called water on the lung, happens when fluid builds up in the space between your lungs and chest cavity. You may have symptoms, such as chest pain, depending on the...
Apr 21, 2023 · Pleural effusion is a condition in which excess fluid builds around the lung. Learn about different types of pleural effusions, including symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Nov 14, 2022 · A pleural effusion is due to the manifestations of another illness. In general, pleural effusions can be divided into transudates (caused by fluid leaking from blood vessels) and exudates (where fluid leaks from inflammation of the pleura and lung).
Jan 10, 2024 · CONTENTS. approach to pleural effusion of unclear etiology. Initial trifecta: History. CXR, POCUS, & review of prior radiology. Blood tests. More advanced testing: CT scan. Thoracentesis. differential diagnosis. All causes of pleural effusion. Transudates. Exudates. pleural radiology. POCUS. Chest radiograph. Subpulmonic effusion. Pseudotumor.
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.
