Pleura Flashcards
Which part of the lungs have no pleural coverage?
Hila
When the two pleura combine, they give rise to which structure that anchors the root of the lung to the diaphragm?
pulmonary ligament
A mediastinal shift indicates pleural effusion or pneumothorax?
pneumothorax
In which cardiac condition is drainage of pleural effusion not required?
cardiac failure
How are pleural effusion aspirates classified?
Transudate
Exudate
What does a bilateral pleural effusion likely represent?
Heart failure
Protein >30g/L indicates which type of effusion?
Exudate
What is exudate effusion commonly linked with?
Malignancy
Infection
Pulmonary infarct
Asbestos
Whats a normal pH of a pleural effusion?
~7.6
What does low glucose in effusion indicate?
Infection
Malignancy
What do lymphocytes in effusion indicate?
Infection like TB
Malignancy
What do neutrophils in effusion indicate?
Acute inflammation
Which type of culture bottle gives a higher yield in pl. effusion?
Blood culture
What a very common and sensitive way of biopsy in pleural effusion?
CT guided thoracoscopy
What occupational trigger is commonly associated with mesothelioma?
Asbestos
What structural abnormalities will be present in a CT specimen of mesothelioma?
Pleural thickening
Shrinking of the lung
What is the mainstay of mesothelioma treatment currently? Name the drug.
Palliative
Chemo with Cisplatin
Which type of chemical pleurodesis is used in pleu. effusion? What is it’s common complication?
TALC
Minor fever & pleuritic pain
Name the treatment in pleural effusion that can be controlled by the patient?
Long-term catheter to drain effusion as needed
Name the guidance criterion used for mesothelioma survival?
LENT score
At which area of the lung is a pneumothorax measured?
Hilum NOT apex
What are the usual treatments for pneumothorax?
O2
Aspiration
Chest drain (if aspiration fails)
Surgery
What type of fatal pneumothorax presents with absent breath sounds & ipsilateral chest movements with mediastinal shift?
tension pneumothorax
Where exactly do you insert the needle for decompression in a tension pneumothorax?
2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular line
What does opacification up the side of the chest wall in a chest x-ray indicate?
empyema
What is a complicated effusion?
+ve gram stain
pH <7.2
low glucose
