Pleural Effusion

Question 1

Give 5 symptoms of pleural effusion

Answer 1

• worsening dyspnoea
• pleuritic chest pain
• dull ache
• dry cough
• weight loss
• malaise
• fever
• night sweats

Question 2

Give 5 signs of pleural effusion

Answer 2

• decreased chest expansion at affected area
• decreased breath sounds at affected area
• decreased vocal resonance at affected area
• finger clubbing
• cervical lymphadenopathy
• peripheral oedema

Question 3

Give 5 investigations you would do for a pleural effusion

Answer 3

• CXR
• contrast CT
• pleural aspiration and biopsy
• protein LDH
• thoracoscopy

Question 4

Give 5 treatments for a pleural effusion

Answer 4

Treat underlying cause

• chemotherapy
• anti-TB chemotherapy
• corticosteroids
• repeated pleural aspiration
• pleurodhesis