DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Pulmonary Disease

Pleural Effusion

MODERATE

Accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall. Can be caused by heart failure, pneumonia, cancer, pulmonary embolism, or liver/kidney disease. Symptoms depend on amount and rate of fluid accumulation.

Global Affected

1.5M

Countries

89

Symptoms

Shortness of breath
Chest pain (pleuritic)
Dry cough
Hiccups
Difficulty breathing lying flat
Reduced chest movement
Dullness to percussion

Treatment Options

Thoracentesis
Chest tube drainage
Pleurodesis (talc)
Indwelling pleural catheter
Treatment of underlying cause
Antibiotics (if infection)
Diuretics (heart failure)
Pleurectomy (rare)

Risk Factors

1Heart failure
2Pneumonia
3Cancer (lung, breast, lymphoma)
4Pulmonary embolism
5Liver cirrhosis
6Kidney disease
7Tuberculosis
8Autoimmune disease
9Trauma

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Chest X-ray
  • 2Chest CT
  • 3Ultrasound
  • 4Thoracentesis with fluid analysis
  • 5Pleural fluid Light's criteria
  • 6Pleural biopsy (if indicated)
  • 7CT-guided drainage

Prognosis

Depends entirely on underlying cause. Transudative (heart failure, cirrhosis): good with treatment of cause. Exudative (malignancy): poor if malignant, variable if infectious. Recurrence common in malignancy.

Prevention

  • Treatment of underlying conditions
  • Heart failure management
  • Infection prevention
  • Early treatment of pneumonia
  • Cancer screening

Research Status

Treatment of underlying cause is essential. Thoracentesis for diagnosis and symptom relief. Chest tube drainage for large effusions. Pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheter for recurrent malignant effusions. Antibiotics if infection present.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanBrazilMexicoRussiaChinaIndiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitBHOmanJordanLebanonSyriaIraqIranPakistanBangladeshLKMMKHLAMNKPUzbekistanKazakhstanKGTJTMAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMKMESerbiaXK

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pleural-effusion
  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17351-pleural-effusion
  • https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pleural-effusion

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.