Pleural and Chest Wall Disorders Flashcards
Inflammation of the pleura causes loss of lubricant between them,
inspiration causes the friction rub when the pleura rub together
Pleuritis
What are some signs/symptoms of pleuritis?
Pain is localized, sharp, fleeting and made worse by coughing, sneezing, deep breath, or movement
Sharp pain like stabbing sensation – patient will be able to point out
exactly where it is felt
May hear a friction rub on inspiration
What is contraindicationed in a rib fracture?
Constrictive brace is contraindicated
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in pleural space
Pleural Effusion
What are the two categories of pleural effusions?
transudative and exudative
The most common cause of pleural effusion is what?
congestive heart failure
What is the pathophysiology of pleural effusions?
Fluid enters the space through capillaries and exits through lymphatics in the visceral and parietal pleura
Pleural effusions occur when there is an excess formation of pleural fluid, decreased fluid removal, or both
What is the difference between transudative and exudative pleural effusions?
Exudative: Increased production of fluid due to abnormal capillary permeability or decreased lymphatic clearance (Capillaries are damaged)
Transudative: Increased production of fluid in the setting of normal capillaries
What are the most common causes of exudative pleural effusions?
Bacterial pneumonia
Cancer (decreased lymphatic drainage)
What are the subtypes of exudative pleural effusions?
Empyema
Hemothorax
Chylothorax
infection in pleural space (abscess in the pleural space)
Empyema
bleeding in pleural space (gross blood from trauma)
Hemothorax
lymphatic fluid in pleural space (cholesterol complex accumulation, appears white)
Associated with lymphoma and thoracic surgery
Chylothorax
Exudative pleural effusions criteria: one or more of the following
Note: transudates have NONE of these features
Pleural fluid protein to serum protein ratio >0.5
Pleural fluid LDH to serum LDH ratio >0.6 and pleural fluid LDH greater than two thirds the upper limit of normal serum LDH
LDH = lactose dehydrogenase
Transudates differentiated from exudates by what criteria?
Light’s Criteria
Looks at LDH and protein (compare to serum)
What are the most common causes of transudative pleural effusions?
Congestive heart failure – one of the most common causes
Hypoproteinemia (Nephrotic syndrome)
Cirrhosis
Pulmonary embolism
What is the gold standard treatment for pleural effusions?
Thoracentesis
If the protein is <3gm%, which type of pleural effusion do you have?
Transudate