Pleural Effusion (Pleural/Pulmonary Disorder) Flashcards
What is meant by the term effusion?
The abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural space
What is meant by the term empyema?
Pus in the pleural space
What is meant by the term heamothorax?
Blood in the pleural space
What diseases are classified as transudate effusions?
Hear failure, Liver cirrhosis, Nephrotic syndrome and Meigs syndrome
What diseases are classified as exudate effusions?
Infection, malignancy, pulmonary embolism, autoimmune conditions (e.g. rheumatoid, SLE)
What is meant by the term transudate effusion?
<30 g/l of protein
What is meant by the term exudate effusion?
> 30 g/l of protein
What are the main symptoms of a pleural effusion?
SOB and pleauritic chest pain
What are the main signs of a pleural effusion?
Stony dull percussion, reduced breath sounds
What investigations would be done to confirm a diagnosis of a pleural effusion?
CXR & Pleural aspiration
What CXR results would be indicative of a pleural effusion?
Blunting of costophrenic angle, Water dense shadows with concave upper borders and Empyema (D sign on x ray)
What would a turbid, yellow pleural aspiration be indicative of?
Empyema, parapneumonic
What would the presence of neutrophils in a pleural aspiration be indicative of?
Parapneumonic, PE
What would the presence of lymphocytes in a pleural aspiration be indicative of?
Malignancy, TB, autoimmunity
What would the presence of mesotheial cells in a pleural aspiration be indicative of?
PE
