Pleural Disorders Flashcards
the serous membrane lining the thorax (chest wall) and enveloping the lungs
pleura
which pleura is attached to the chest wall?
parietal
the parietal and visceral pleura are continuously connected
which pleura covers the lungs, blood vessels, bronchi and nerves?
visceral pleura
the parietal and visceral pleura are continuously connected
the thin serous fluid-filled (potential space) between the two pulmonary pleura
pleural cavity
Radiographically not visualized unless there is pathology
fills the pleural space/cavity; helps the two layers of pleura glide smoothly past each other during breathing
Pleural fluid
3 Disorders of the Pleura
- Pleurisy - Inflammation of parietal pleura that causes sharp pain with breathing
- Pneumothorax - Buildup of air or gas in the pleural space
- Pleural Effusion - Excess fluid in the pleural space
pain fibers are located in the _____, when it becomes inflamed, what happens?
parietal pleura
the normal gliding between the 2 pleura incites pain
a common cause of noncardiac chest pain
pleuritis / pleurisy
9 causes of pleurisy
- Respiratory Infection
- viral (ex: influenza)
- bacterial(ex: pneumonia or TB)
- fungal - Lung cancer near the pleural surface
- Trauma: Rib fracture
- medications
- procainamide, hydralazine, and isoniazid - PE
- CHF
- Autoimmune disorder
- lupus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis,or scleroderma - GI disorders
- pancreatitis, peritonitis, cholecystitis - Idiopathic
- chest pain localized, sharp “knifelike”, fleeting pain that is worsened by inspiration, sneezing or coughing
- radiation to ipsilateral scapula
- cough, SOB , fever, myalgias, headache, nasal congestion (infectious etiology)
- abd pain, N/V (GI etiology)
- orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), peripheral edema (CHF related)
- pleural friction rub, decreased breath sounds
what is the possible dx?
Pleurisy
- worsened by inspiration, sneezing or coughing - “pleuritic chest pain”
- radiation of pain to ipsilateral scapula may occur if diaphragmatic pleura is affected
testing for pleurisy
- EKG - normal unless cardiac etiology
- CXR - findings will depend on underlying etiology
- Rib X-ray series - rule out rib fx if history of trauma
- labs (case based) - CBC, cardiac enzymes, BNP, pancreatic enzymes inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), ANA/RF (autoimmune workup)
- CT chest with contrast / CT angiography of the chest
management for pleurisy
- Treat underlying cause (if identified)
- Decide on pt disposition - Admit if:
- hypoxemic (O2 sat of <90%)
- parenteral pain control is needed
- underlying etiology requires hospitalization -
NSAIDs or other analgesics
indomethacin 25 mg BID-TID (short course - < 7-10 d) - Cough suppressant - any OTC cough suppressant
- Codeine 30-60 mg TID - good option for pain and cough suppression
- Dextromethorphan combination products
- Tessalon Perles
- Be cautious of retention of airway secretions with cough suppressants - Antibiotics (if indicated)
complications with pleurisy
pleural effusion - pain will improve transiently due to separation of pleura; SOB and cough will worsen
a collection of fluid in the pleural space resulting from a disruption in the normal pleural homeostasis
Pleural Effusion
Pleural fluid homeostasis is achieved via
- A constant movement of fluid from the capillaries of the parietal and visceral pleural into the pleural space
- Absorption of pleural fluid occurs through parietal pleural lymphatics
- The resultant homeostasis leaves 5–15 mL of fluid in the normal pleural space
Five pathophysiologic processes account for most pleural effusions
- Increased production of fluid d/t increased hydrostatic or decreased oncotic (osmotic) capillary pressures (Transudates)
- Increased production of fluid d/t abnormal capillary permeability (Exudates)
- Decreased lymphatic clearance of fluid from the pleural space (Exudates)
- Infection (Empyema)
- Bleeding (Hemothorax)
A fluid that passes through capillary wall, which filters out all the cells and much of the protein, yielding a watery solution
a filtrate of blood caused by an imbalance in hydrostatic and colloid osmotic pressure
what type of pleural effusion?
transudate
A fluid rich in protein and cellular elements that oozes out of blood vessels due to inflammation and is deposited in nearby tissues. The altered permeability of blood vessels permits the passage of large molecules and solid matter through their walls
what type of pleural effusion?
exudates
causes of transudate pleural effusion
- Heart failure (> 90% of cases)
- Cirrhosis with ascites
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Myxedema
- Atelectasis (acute)
- Constrictive pericarditis
- SVC obstruction
- Pulmonary embolism
cause of exudate pleural effusion
- Pneumonia (parapneumonic effusion)
- Cancer (MC) - lung and breast, lymphoma, leukemia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Bacterial pneumonia (MC)
- Tuberculosis
- Connective tissue disease
- Viral infection
- Fungal infection
- Rickettsial infection
- Parasitic infection
- Asbestos
- Meigs syndrome
- Pancreatic disease
- Uremia
- Chronic atelectasis
- Trapped lung
- Chylothorax
- Sarcoidosis
- Drug reaction
- Post–MI syndrome
A detailed history should be obtained to help narrow ddx for pleural effusions, what do you have to ask for history?
- recent illness - URI, pneumonia
- chronic medical conditions
- liver, heart, kidney, cancer, alcoholism - trauma
- recent travel
- increased risk for PE
- TB endemic areas - Occupational hx - asbestos
- Medication hx - past/present
- TB exposure
- live or work in a homeless shelter
- migrant farm camp
- prison/jail
- nursing home
Most common presenting symptoms of pleural effusion
dyspnea, cough, pleuritic chest pain
Other symptoms may be related to underlying condition for pleural effusion (ROS is vital)
- Lower extremity edema, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (CHF)
- Night sweats, fever, hemoptysis, and weight loss (TB)
- Hemoptysis, weight loss (malignancy)
- Fever, purulent sputum, pleuritic chest pain (pneumonia)
Clinical presentation of pleural effusions are likely to be dependent on what?
effusion severity
smaller effusions - less sx with normal PE
larger effusion - more sx with abnormal PE findings