Resp - Pleural Effusion

Question 1

What are the causes of pleural effusion?

Answer 1

1. Transudates- CCF- pulmonary embolism- nephrotic syndrome- cirrhosis2. Exudates- bacterial infection/parapneumonic- empyema- TB- malignancy- post pneumonectomy- oesophageal perforation- Rheumatoid disease/vasculitis- Meigs syndrome3. Haemorrhage- trauma- iatrogenic injury

Question 2

What would you send a sample of pleural fluid for?

Answer 2

1. LDH
2. Protein
3. Glucose
4. pH
   5 . MC&S
5. Cytology

Question 3

What are Light’s criteria?

Answer 3

To differentiate between transudate and exudate.Effusion is exudate if one of the following is met:
- Protein effusion to serum ratio >0.5
- LDH effusion to serum ration >0.6
- Effusion LDH >200IU