Pleural Dz Flashcards
Pleura
Serous membrane
Viscerla pleura
covers the lungs and adjoining structures (blood vessels, bronchi, nerves)
Parietal Pleura
- attached to the chest wall
- covers the diaphragm
Pleural cavity
- Potential space between the two pleurae
- Allows smooth inhalation and exhalation, the fluid prevents friction
Costal pleura
Lines inner ribs
Diaphragmatic Pleura
lines diaphragm
Costodiaphragmatic Recesses
-Spaces between costal and diaphragmatic pleura
Pleuritis causes
Infection:
- Viral*
- Bacterial
- Fungal
Pleuritis clinical presentation
- SHARP CP- Aggravated by breathing, coughing, sneezing
- Fever, chills
- Cough
- SOB
* depends on underlying cause
Pleuritis PEx
Pleural friction rub
Pleuritis Treatment
- NSAIDS: Naproxen
- Steroids: Prednison-For refractory pain
- Proton Pump Inhibitor: Omeprazole- prophylactic tx of GI upset due to NSAIDS
What is often the presenting sx in Lupus pleuritis
Pleurisy!
Lupus pleuritis diagnostics
- Serologic testing for SLE: ANA, anti-dsDNA
Lupus pleuritis Tx
NSAIDS
Rheumatoid pleuritic common signs
- Pleuritic CP
- Fever
- +/- Dyspnea
Rheumatoid pleuritic causes
- Exudative “rheumatoid” effusion
- Drug-induced pleuritis: methotrexate, infliximab
- Empyema
- Bronchopleural fistula
- Hemopneumothorax
- Pyopneumothorax
What is the most common pleural dz?
Pleural effusion
What is pleural effusion a result of?
- Excess fluid production AND/OR
2. Decreased lymphatic absorption
What are the 4 major causes of pleural effusions
- Congestive heart failure
- Pneumonia
- Malignancy
- Pulmonary embolism
What are the two distinct categories of pleural effusions?
- Transudative effusions
2. Exudative effusions
Pleural effusion clinical presentation
- Dyspnea
- Cough
- Pleuritic chest pain
* Variability depending on underlying disease
Pleural effusion PEx
- Dullness to percussion
- Decreased or absent tactile
fremitus - Decreased breath sounds
- No voice transmission
What is the best CXR view for pleural effusion?
CXR in lateral decubitus view
- can detect as little as 50cc of fluid
- more sensitive