S10 L2 Pleural Effusion Flashcards
1
Q
Normal physiology for the production of pleural fluid…
Pleural Effusion:
- What is this
- 4 types of pleural effusion (differentiated by different material)
A
2
Q
Pleural effusions signs and symptoms
A
3
Q
Radiological findings
- X-ray
- CT
A
4
Q
Causes of these…
- Simple Effusion
- Haemothorax
- Chylothorax
- Empyema
Name a further invertigation used to ‘get at’ the fluid
A
Simple Effusion: When the fluid is pleural fluid - can be transudate or exudate
Haemothorax: When the fluid is blood - due to trauma
Chylothorax: When the fluid is lymph (e.g. leak from lymphatic duct) - due to trauma
Empyema: When the fluid is pus - due to infective cause
Pleural aspiration
5
Q
Pleural aspiration
- How to do this?
- Imaging?
- Send off fluid to look at…
- Not confirmed but what could red fluid suggest? milky fluid?
A
low pH = like to be pus (Empyema)
6
Q
Transudate vs Exudate
- Light’s criteria
Why should you also do a blood test?
A
7
Q
Common causes of Transudate pleural effusions?
A
8
Q
Common causes of exudative pleural effusions?
A
9
Q
Treatment of Pleural Effusions
A
