course hero which are causes of pleural effusions

Causes of pleural effusion include: congestive heart failure cirrhosis

or poor liver function

Full Answer

What causes pleural effusion?

Exudative (protein-rich fluid) pleural effusions are most commonly caused by: Certain medications, abdominal surgery and radiation therapy may also cause pleural effusions. Pleural effusion may occur with several types of cancer including lung cancer, breast cancer and lymphoma.

How serious is pleural effusion?

The seriousness of the condition depends on the primary cause of pleural effusion, whether breathing is affected, and whether it can be treated effectively. Causes of pleural effusion that can be effectively treated or controlled include an infection due to a virus, pneumonia or heart failure.

What is the treatment for pleural effusion?

A malignant effusion may also require treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a medication infusion within the chest. A pleural effusion that is causing respiratory symptoms may be drained using therapeutic thoracentesis or through a chest tube (called tube thoracostomy).

What tests are used to diagnose pleural effusion?

The tests most commonly used to diagnose and evaluate pleural effusion include: Chest x-ray. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. Ultrasound of the chest. Thoracentesis (a needle is inserted between the ribs to remove a biopsy, or sample of fluid)

What is the most common cause of pleural effusion?

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.

What are three causes of pleural effusion?

The most common causes of pleural effusion are congestive heart failure, cancer, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism.

Which conditions may cause pleural effusion?

Pleural effusion may occur with several types of cancer including lung cancer, breast cancer and lymphoma....Exudative (protein-rich fluid) pleural effusions are most commonly caused by:Pneumonia.Cancer.Pulmonary embolism.Kidney disease.Inflammatory disease.

What are the 2 types of pleural effusion?

There are two types of pleural effusions: transudative and exudative.

Does TB cause pleural effusion?

Although it is curable, tuberculosis remains one of the most frequent causes of pleural effusions on a global scale, especially in developing countries. Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) is one of the most common forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Can asthma cause pleural effusion?

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a rare cause of pleural effusion and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a pleural effusion, in particular those with a history of asthma.

Does COPD cause pleural effusion?

Conclusions: Pleural effusion is common among COPD patients admitted to a MICU. Most are due to CHF and parapneumonic effusions and respond well to treatment of the underlying problem.

Does pneumonia cause pleural effusion?

Pneumonia, most commonly from bacteria, causes parapneumonic pleural effusion.

What causes a small pleural effusion?

Leaking from other organs. This usually happens if you have congestive heart failure, when your heart doesn't pump blood to your body properly. But it can also come from liver or kidney disease, when fluid builds up in your body and leaks into the pleural space.

What is another name for pleural effusion?

Various kinds of fluid can accumulate in the pleural space, such as serous fluid (hydrothorax), blood (hemothorax), pus (pyothorax, more commonly known as pleural empyema), chyle (chylothorax), or very rarely urine (urinothorax). When unspecified, the term "pleural effusion" normally refers to hydrothorax.