Pleural diseases Flashcards
What are the 2 types of fluid in pleural effusion?
Transudate and exudate
Transudate
Low protein (alphabetical order?)
Exudate
High protein
What are the causes of transudate pleural effusion?
• cardiac failure • hypoproteinaemia
What are the causes of exudate pleural effusion?
• pneumonia • TB • connective tissue disease • malignancy (primary or metastatic)
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space
What is the main primary malignant pleural neoplasia?
Mesothelioma
What are causes of secondary pleural neoplasia?
Adenocarcinoms (lung, GIT, ovary)
Empyema
Pus in the pleural space - when a pleural effusion becomes infected
What are the 3 types of pleural effusion?
• Simple parapneumonic effusion (Can clear simply with antibiotics) • Complicated parapneumonic effusion (Bugs with a positive gram stain) • Emphyema - Development of pus and possible adhesions (Wont go away with simple antibiotics so want to avoid this)
What is the difference between normal pleural fluid and pleural effusion?
Pleural effusion is inflammatory active
What is the preferred investigation for complicated pleural effusion?
US guided sampling
How large does a pleural effusion need to be to appear on CXR?
200mls
Where will a pleural effusio appear on CXR?
Costophrenic angles
What are the likely causes of a unilateral or bilateral pleural effusion?
- Unilateral - infection
- Bilateral - heart failure/circulatory
