pleural effusion, malignancy and pneumothorax Flashcards
what is a pleural effusion
abnormal collection of fluid in pleural space (not actual lungs)
what are the main symptoms of pleural effusion
breathlessness, pain
how could you identify a pleural effusion with imaging
XRAY (fluid in lung space), CT
how could you identify a pleural effusion with transudates
protein less than 30 and LDH less than 300
what does a transudate pleural effusion indicate
cardiac failure, cirrhosis, renal failure, pericarditis
what are the features of exudates
protein more than 30 and LDH more than 300
what are causes of exudates
TB, pneumonia, cancer, MI (more local)
when can pleural effusions be clinically detected and on an XRAY
more than 500ml, and 300ml on Xray
how do you treat pleural effusions
treat underlying cause, if empyema thoracentesis
what is a mesothelioma
malignancy on the lining of the lung (rare)
what are the symptoms of mesothelioma
SOB, weight loss, (sharp, localised) chest pain, sweating, fever, coughing
what can cause mesothelioma
asbestos
how would you treat mesothe that has not got mets
pleurodese effusions, radio, chemo, palliative
how would you treat mesothe with mets
TALC, long term catheters
what is a pneumothorax and what can it lead too
air in pleural space, collapsed lung .
