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A pleural effusion is accumulation of excessive fluid in the pleural space, the potential space that surrounds each lung.Under normal conditions, pleural fluid is secreted by the parietal pleural capillaries at a rate of 0.6 millilitre per kilogram weight per hour, and is cleared by lymphatic absorption leaving behind only 5–15 millilitres of fluid, which helps to maintain a functional ...
In some cases of pleural effusion, the excess fluid becomes infected and turns into an abscess. This is called an empyema. Pleural effusion involving fibrinous exudates in the fluid may be called fibrinous pleurisy, which sometimes occurs as a later stage of pleurisy. A person can develop a pleural effusion in the absence of pleurisy.
A parapneumonic effusion is a type of pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity) that arises as a result of a pneumonia, lung abscess, or bronchiectasis. [1] There are three types of parapneumonic effusions: uncomplicated effusions, complicated effusions, and empyema. Uncomplicated effusions generally respond well to ...
Pleural plaques are patchy collections of hyalinized collagen in the parietal pleura. [2] They have a holly leaf appearance on X-ray. [1] They are indicators of asbestos exposure, and the most common asbestos-induced lesion. [3] They usually appear after 20 years or more of exposure and never degenerate into mesothelioma.
With pleural effusion, fluid often builds up in the costophrenic angle (due to gravity). This can push the lung upwards, resulting in "blunting" of the costophrenic angle. The posterior angle is the deepest. Obtuse angulation is sign of disease. Chest x-ray is the first test done to confirm an excess of pleural fluid.
Pleural empyema is a collection of pus in the pleural cavity caused by microorganisms, usually bacteria. [1] Often it happens in the context of a pneumonia, injury, or chest surgery. [1] It is one of the various kinds of pleural effusion.
Hydrothorax is the synonym of pleural effusion in which fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity. This condition is most likely to develop secondary to congestive heart failure, following an increase in hydrostatic pressure within the lungs. More rarely, hydrothorax can develop in 10% of patients with ascites which is called hepatic hydrothorax ...
A technique called pleurodesis can be used to intentionally create scar tissue within the pleural space, usually as a treatment for repeated episodes of a punctured lung, known as a pneumothorax, or for pleural effusions caused by cancer. While this procedure usually generates only limited scar tissue, in rare cases a fibrothorax can develop. [6]