Treatment of Pleural Effusion

Khaled Reshad

doi:10.1378/chest.89.3.471-a

Abstract

Treatment of Pleural Effusion

Highlights

Effusion of fluid into the cavity of the pleura may occur in a variety of morbid states, of which the chief are inflammation of the pleura, cancer, or other malignant growths in its neighbourhood, and a tendency to dropsical effusion in the tissues generally, as in cardiac and renal disease
If the respiration or the circulation be already embarrassed by disease of the lungs or heart, it is manifest that the addition of a comparatively small effusion may precipitate the onset of dangerous symptoms
At the Royal Infirmary it is a common practice to confirm the diagnosis by drawing off a little of the fluid by means of a small syringe armed with a fine hollow needle

Summary

Introduction

Effusion of fluid into the cavity of the pleura may occur in a variety of morbid states, of which the chief are inflammation of the pleura, cancer, or other malignant growths in its neighbourhood, and a tendency to dropsical effusion in the tissues generally, as in cardiac and renal disease. Patients with extensive effusion have been known to die quite suddenly, probably either from odema of the opposite lung, leaving them without any available air space, or perhaps from some mechanical interference with the heart or great vessels.

Results

Conclusion