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a (1) : the escape of a fluid from anatomical vessels by rupture or exudation. (2) : the flow of a gas through an aperture whose diameter is small as compared with the distance between the molecules of the gas. b. : the fluid that escapes.
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EFFUSION definition: 1. a sudden and uncontrolled expression of strong emotion: 2. an occasion when liquid escapes…. Learn more.
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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.
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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.
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The collection of fluid in an abnormal site, as in a pleural effusion, a pericardial effusion or a joint effusion.
the flow of a gas through a small orifice at such density that the mean distance between the molecules is large compared with the diameter of the orifice.
EFFUSION meaning: 1. a sudden and uncontrolled expression of strong emotion: 2. an occasion when liquid escapes…. Learn more.
1. an unrestrained outpouring in speech or words. 2. the act or process of being poured out. 3. something that is poured out. 4. (General Physics) the flow of a gas through a small aperture under pressure, esp when the density is such that the mean distance between molecules is large compared to the diameter of the aperture. 5. (Medicine) med.
