Pleural effusion Flashcards
1
Q
What are the potential exudate causes of pleural effusion?
A
Malignancy - lung, breast, lymphoma Mesothelioma Infection Empyema PE Trauma Pulmonary infarction Drug-induced lupus Pancreatitis AI disorders Boerrhave's syndrome Rheumatoid pleurisy
2
Q
What are the potential transudate causes of pleural effusion?
A
Heart failure Cirrhosis Hypoalbuminaemia Nephrotic syndrome Acute atelectasis Peritoneal dialysis Myxoedema Meig's syndrome End stage renal failure Obstructive uropathy
3
Q
What are causes of pleural effusion which are neither exudate or transudate?
A
TB
SLE
Iatrogenic
Bleeding
4
Q
Describe light’s criteria
A
Used to determine if a pleural effusion is transudate or exudate. An effusion is exudate if:
Pleural : serum protein >0.5
Pleural : serum LDH >0.6
Pleural LDH is >2/3 upper limit of normal
5
Q
What pH would you expect in an empyema?
A
<7.2
6
Q
What are the causes of pleural effusion which are most likely to cause recurrent pleural effusion?
A
Heart failure
Cirrhosis
Malignancy
7
Q
What are the potential complications of pleural effusion?
A
Recurrence Atelectasis Pleural fibrosis Pseudochylothorax Trapped lung Re-expansion pulmonary oedema Pneumothorax (due to thoracocentesis)
