Pleural effusion differential diagnosis: Difference between revisions

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__NOTOC__
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{{Pleural effusion}}
[[Image:Home_logo1.png|right|250px|link=https://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/Pleural_effusion]]
{{CMG}}; {{GCC}}
{{CMG}} {{AE}} {{PTD}}; {{NRM}}


==Differential diagnosis==
==Overview==
===Overview===
Evaluation of a patient with a pleural effusion requires a thorough clinical history and physical examination in conjunction with pertinent laboratory tests and imaging studies. According to the British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Guideline 2010, [[thoracentesis]] should not be performed for bilateral effusions in a clinical setting strongly suggestive of a transudate unless there are atypical features or they fail to respond to therapy. Pleural fluid should always be sent for protein, [[lactate dehydrogenase]], [[Gram stain]], [[cytology]] and microbiological culture.<ref name="pmid20696692">{{cite journal | author = Hooper C, Lee YC, Maskell N | title = Investigation of a unilateral pleural effusion in adults: British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Guideline 2010 | journal = Thorax | volume = 65 Suppl 2 | issue = | pages = ii4–17 | year = 2010| month = August | pmid = 20696692 | doi = 10.1136/thx.2010.136978 | url = | issn = }}</ref> Additional studies which may be indicated in selected cases include pH, [[glucose]], acid-fast bacilli and [[tuberculosis]] culture, [[triglyceride]], [[cholesterol]], [[amylase]], and [[hematocrit]]. Light's criteria is applied to distinguish the fluid between transudative or exudative.<ref name="pmid4642731">{{cite journal | author = Light RW, Macgregor MI, Luchsinger PC, Ball WC | title = Pleural effusions: the diagnostic separation of transudates and exudates | journal = Ann. Intern. Med. | volume = 77 | issue = 4 | pages = 507–13 | year = 1972 | month = October | pmid = 4642731 | doi = | url = | issn = }}</ref> A  broad array of underlying conditions result in exudative effusions, while a limited number of disorders are assoicated with transudative effusions, which include [[congestive heart failure]], [[cirrhosis]], [[nephrotic syndrome]], [[peritoneal dialysis]], [[hypoalbuminemia]], [[urinothorax]], [[atelectasis]], [[constrictive pericarditis]], [[trapped lung]], [[superior vena cava obstruction]], and duropleural fistula.
Evaluation of a patient with a pleural effusion requires a thorough clinical history and physical examination in conjunction with pertinent laboratory tests and imaging studies. Thoracentesis should not be performed for bilateral effusions in a clinical setting strongly suggestive of a transudate unless there are atypical features or they fail to respond to therapy. Pleural fluid should always be sent for protein, [[lactate dehydrogenase]], Gram stain, cytology and microbiological culture.<ref name="pmid20696692">{{cite journal | author = Hooper C, Lee YC, Maskell N | title = Investigation of a unilateral pleural effusion in adults: British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Guideline 2010 | journal = Thorax | volume = 65 Suppl 2 | issue = | pages = ii4–17 | year = 2010| month = August | pmid = 20696692 | doi = 10.1136/thx.2010.136978 | url = | issn = }}</ref> Additional studies which may be indicated in selected cases include pH, [[glucose]], acid-fast bacilli and tuberculosis culture, [[triglycerdies]], [[cholesterol]], [[amylase]], and [[hematocrit]]. Light's criteria is applied to distinguish the fluid between transudative or exudative.<ref name="pmid4642731">{{cite journal | author = Light RW, Macgregor MI, Luchsinger PC, Ball WC | title = Pleural effusions: the diagnostic separation of transudates and exudates | journal = Ann. Intern. Med. | volume = 77 | issue = 4 | pages = 507–13 | year = 1972 | month = October | pmid = 4642731 | doi = | url = | issn = }}</ref> A  broad array of underlying conditions result in exudative effusions, while a limited number of disorders are assoicated with transudative effusions, which include congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, peritoneal dialysis, hypoalbuminemia, urinothorax, atelectasis, constrictive pericarditis, trapped lung, superior vena caval obstruction, and duropleural fistula.


====Exudative pleural effusions====
==Differentiating Pleural Effusion from other Diseases==
{| style=width:80% border=2 bgcolor=FFFAFA
===Exudative Pleural Effusions===
{| style=width:80% border=2  
| style=width:20% height="40px" bgcolor=B0C4DE | '''Etiology'''
| style=width:20% height="40px" bgcolor=B0C4DE | '''Etiology'''
| style=width:80% height="40px" bgcolor=B0C4DE | '''Underlying conditions'''
| style=width:80% height="40px" bgcolor=B0C4DE | '''Underlying conditions'''
|-
|-
| Infectious
| Infectious
| Bacterial pneumonia, tuberculous effusion, fungal disease, atypical pneumonias, nocardia, actinomyces, subphrenic abscess, hepatic abscess, splenic abscess, hepatitis, parasites
| Bacterial [[pneumonia]], tuberculous effusion, fungal disease, atypical pneumonia, [[nocardia]], [[actinomyces]], [[subphrenic abscess]], [[hepatic abscess]], [[splenic abscess]], [[hepatitis]], parasites
|-
|-
| Iatrogenic
| Iatrogenic
| Drug-induced, esophageal perforation, esophageal sclerotherapy, central venous catheter misplacement or migration, enteral feeding tube in pleural space
| Drug-induced, [[esophageal perforation]], esophageal sclerotherapy, central venous catheter misplacement or migration, enteral feeding tube in pleural space
|-
|-
| Vasculitis
| Vasculitis
| Wegener granulomatosis, Churg–Strauss syndrome, familial Mediterranean fever
| [[Wegener's granulomatosis|Wegener granulomatosis]], Churg–Strauss syndrome, [[familial Mediterranean fever]]
|-
|-
| Malignancy
| Malignancy
| Carcinoma, lymphoma, mesothelioma, leukemia, chylothorax
| [[Carcinoma]], [[lymphoma]], [[mesothelioma]], [[leukemia]], [[chylothorax]]
|-
|-
| Inflammatory
| Inflammatory
| Pancreatitis, benign asbestos pleural effusion (BAPE), pulmonary infarction, radiation therapy, sarcoidosis, post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS), hemothorax, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cholesterol effusion
| [[Pancreatitis]], benign [[asbestos]] pleural effusion (BAPE), [[pulmonary infarction]], [[radiation therapy]], [[sarcoidosis]], post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS), [[hemothorax]], [[acute respiratory distress syndrome]] (ARDS), cholesterol effusion
|-
|-
| Increased negative intrapleural pressure
| Increased negative intrapleural pressure
| Atelectasis, trapped lung
| [[Atelectasis]], [[trapped lung]]
|-
|-
| Connective tissue disease
| Connective tissue disease
| Lupus pleuritis, rheumatoid pleurisy, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren syndrome
| Lupus pleuritis, [[rheumatoid pleuritis]], mixed connective tissue disease, [[Sjögren's syndrome|Sjögren syndrome]]
|-
|-
| Endocrine dysfunction
| Endocrine dysfunction
| Hypothyroidism, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
| [[Hypothyroidism]], [[ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome]]
|-
|-
| Lymphatic abnormalities
| Lymphatic abnormalities
| Chylothorax, yellow nail syndrome, lymphangiomyomatosis, lymphangiectasis
| [[Chylothorax]], [[yellow nail syndrome]], [[lymphangiomyomatosis]], [[lymphangiectasis]]
|-
|-
| Movement of fluid from abdomen to pleural space
| Movement of fluid from abdomen to pleural space
| Acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, Meigs syndrome, chylous ascites
| Acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, [[Meigs syndrome]], [[chylous ascites]]
|-
|-
|}
|}
==Other Differentials==
Pleural effusions should be differentiated from other diseases presenting with chronic [[cough]], [[shortness of breath]] and [[tachypnea]]. The differentials include the following:<ref name="pmid24550636">{{cite journal |vauthors=Brenes-Salazar JA |title=Westermark's and Palla's signs in acute and chronic pulmonary embolism: Still valid in the current computed tomography era |journal=J Emerg Trauma Shock |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=57–8 |year=2014 |pmid=24550636 |pmc=3912657 |doi=10.4103/0974-2700.125645 |url=}}</ref><ref name="urlCT Angiography of Pulmonary Embolism: Diagnostic Criteria and Causes of Misdiagnosis | RadioGraphics">{{cite web |url=http://pubs.rsna.org/doi/full/10.1148/rg.245045008 |title=CT Angiography of Pulmonary Embolism: Diagnostic Criteria and Causes of Misdiagnosis &#124; RadioGraphics |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23940438">{{cite journal |vauthors=Bĕlohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A |title=Pulmonary embolism, part I: Epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism |journal=Exp Clin Cardiol |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=129–38 |year=2013 |pmid=23940438 |pmc=3718593 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="urlPulmonary Embolism: Symptoms - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0022657/ |title=Pulmonary Embolism: Symptoms - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="pmid20118395">{{cite journal |vauthors=Ramani GV, Uber PA, Mehra MR |title=Chronic heart failure: contemporary diagnosis and management |journal=Mayo Clin. Proc. |volume=85 |issue=2 |pages=180–95 |year=2010 |pmid=20118395 |pmc=2813829 |doi=10.4065/mcp.2009.0494 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid18215495">{{cite journal |vauthors=Blinderman CD, Homel P, Billings JA, Portenoy RK, Tennstedt SL |title=Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced congestive heart failure |journal=J Pain Symptom Manage |volume=35 |issue=6 |pages=594–603 |year=2008 |pmid=18215495 |pmc=2662445 |doi=10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.06.007 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid19168510">{{cite journal |vauthors=Hawkins NM, Petrie MC, Jhund PS, Chalmers GW, Dunn FG, McMurray JJ |title=Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: diagnostic pitfalls and epidemiology |journal=Eur. J. Heart Fail. |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=130–9 |year=2009 |pmid=19168510 |pmc=2639415 |doi=10.1093/eurjhf/hfn013 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid9465867">{{cite journal |vauthors=Takasugi JE, Godwin JD |title=Radiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |journal=Radiol. Clin. North Am. |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=29–55 |year=1998 |pmid=9465867 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid14651761">{{cite journal |vauthors=Wedzicha JA, Donaldson GC |title=Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |journal=Respir Care |volume=48 |issue=12 |pages=1204–13; discussion 1213–5 |year=2003 |pmid=14651761 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23833163">{{cite journal |vauthors=Nakawah MO, Hawkins C, Barbandi F |title=Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the overlap syndrome |journal=J Am Board Fam Med |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=470–7 |year=2013 |pmid=23833163 |doi=10.3122/jabfm.2013.04.120256 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid20511488">{{cite journal |vauthors=Khandaker MH, Espinosa RE, Nishimura RA, Sinak LJ, Hayes SN, Melduni RM, Oh JK |title=Pericardial disease: diagnosis and management |journal=Mayo Clin. Proc. |volume=85 |issue=6 |pages=572–93 |year=2010 |pmid=20511488 |pmc=2878263 |doi=10.4065/mcp.2010.0046 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23610095">{{cite journal |vauthors=Bogaert J, Francone M |title=Pericardial disease: value of CT and MR imaging |journal=Radiology |volume=267 |issue=2 |pages=340–56 |year=2013 |pmid=23610095 |doi=10.1148/radiol.13121059 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid11680112">{{cite journal |vauthors=Gharib AM, Stern EJ |title=Radiology of pneumonia |journal=Med. Clin. North Am. |volume=85 |issue=6 |pages=1461–91, x |year=2001 |pmid=11680112 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23507061">{{cite journal |vauthors=Schmidt WA |title=Imaging in vasculitis |journal=Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=107–18 |year=2013 |pmid=23507061 |doi=10.1016/j.berh.2013.01.001 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid16891436">{{cite journal |vauthors=Suresh E |title=Diagnostic approach to patients with suspected vasculitis |journal=Postgrad Med J |volume=82 |issue=970 |pages=483–8 |year=2006 |pmid=16891436 |pmc=2585712 |doi=10.1136/pgmj.2005.042648 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid123074">{{cite journal |vauthors=Stein PD, Dalen JE, McIntyre KM, Sasahara AA, Wenger NK, Willis PW |title=The electrocardiogram in acute pulmonary embolism |journal=Prog Cardiovasc Dis |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=247–57 |year=1975 |pmid=123074 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23413894">{{cite journal |vauthors=Warnier MJ, Rutten FH, Numans ME, Kors JA, Tan HL, de Boer A, Hoes AW, De Bruin ML |title=Electrocardiographic characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |journal=COPD |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=62–71 |year=2013 |pmid=23413894 |doi=10.3109/15412555.2012.727918 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23000104">{{cite journal |vauthors=Stein PD, Matta F, Ekkah M, Saleh T, Janjua M, Patel YR, Khadra H |title=Electrocardiogram in pneumonia |journal=Am. J. Cardiol. |volume=110 |issue=12 |pages=1836–40 |year=2012 |pmid=23000104 |doi=10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.08.019 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid26209947">{{cite journal |vauthors=Hazebroek MR, Kemna MJ, Schalla S, Sanders-van Wijk S, Gerretsen SC, Dennert R, Merken J, Kuznetsova T, Staessen JA, Brunner-La Rocca HP, van Paassen P, Cohen Tervaert JW, Heymans S |title=Prevalence and prognostic relevance of cardiac involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis: eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis |journal=Int. J. Cardiol. |volume=199 |issue= |pages=170–9 |year=2015 |pmid=26209947 |doi=10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.06.087 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid20112390">{{cite journal |vauthors=Dennert RM, van Paassen P, Schalla S, Kuznetsova T, Alzand BS, Staessen JA, Velthuis S, Crijns HJ, Tervaert JW, Heymans S |title=Cardiac involvement in Churg-Strauss syndrome |journal=Arthritis Rheum. |volume=62 |issue=2 |pages=627–34 |year=2010 |pmid=20112390 |doi=10.1002/art.27263 |url=}}</ref>
<small>
{|
|- style="background: #4479BA; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;"
! rowspan="2" |<small>Diseases</small>
! colspan="3" |<small>Diagnostic tests</small>
! colspan="3" |<small>Physical Examination</small>
| colspan="7" |<small>Symptoms
! colspan="1" rowspan="2" |<small>Past medical history</small>
! rowspan="2" |<small>Other Findings</small>
|- style="background: #4479BA; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;"
!<small>CT scan and MRI</small>
!<small>EKG</small>
!<small>Chest X-ray</small> 
!<small>Tachypnea</small>
!<small>Tachycardia</small>
!<small>Fever</small>
!<small>Chest Pain</small>
!<small>Hemoptysis</small>
!<small>Dyspnea on Exertion</small>
!<small>Wheezing</small>
!<small>Chest Tenderness</small>
!<small>Nasalopharyngeal Ulceration</small>
!<small>Carotid Bruit</small>
|-
| style="background: #DCDCDC; padding: 5px; text-align: center;" |[[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] (COPD)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*On [[Computed tomography|CT scan]]:
**[[Chronic bronchitis]] may show [[bronchial]] wall thickening, scarring with bronchovascular irregularity, [[fibrosis]]
**[[Emphysema]] may show [[alveolar]] septal destruction and airspace enlargement (Centrilobular- upper lobe, panlobular- lower lobe)
**Giant bubbles
*On [[MRI]]:
**Increased diameter of [[pulmonary arteries]]
**Peripheral [[pulmonary]] [[vasculature]] attentuation
**Loss of retrosternal airspace due to right ventricular enlargement
**Hyperpolarized Helium MRI may show progressively poor ventilation and destruction of lung
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*[[Multifocal atrial tachycardia]] (atleast 3 distinct [[P waves|P wave]] morphologies)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Enlarged [[lung]] shadows ([[emphysema]])
*Flattening of [[diaphragm]] ([[emphysema]])
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*[[Smoking]]
*[[Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency|Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency]]
*Increased [[sputum]] production ([[chronic bronchitis]])
*[[Cough]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*[[Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency|Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency]] may be associated with [[hepatomegaly]]
|-
| style="background: #DCDCDC; padding: 5px; text-align: center;" |[[Pneumonia]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*On [[Computed tomography|CT scan]]: (not generally indicated)
**[[Consolidation (medicine)|Consolidation]] ([[alveolar]]/lobar pneumonia)
**Peribronchial [[nodules]] ([[bronchopneumonia]])
**[[Ground glass opacification on CT|Ground-glass opacity]] (GGO)
**[[Abscess]]
**[[Pleural effusion]]
**On [[MRI]]:
*Not indicated
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Prolonged [[PR interval]]
*Transient [[T wave]] inversions
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*[[Consolidation (medicine)|Consolidation]] ([[alveolar]]/lobar [[pneumonia]])
*Peribronchial [[nodules]] (bronchopneumonia)
*Ground-glass opacity (GGO)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Ill-contact
*Travelling
*[[Smoking]]
*[[Diabetes mellitus|Diabetic]]
*Recent hospitalization
*[[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Requires [[Sputum|sputum stain]] and culture for diagnosis
*[[Empiric therapy|Empiric management]] usually started before [[Culture collection|culture]] results
|-
| style="background: #DCDCDC; padding: 5px; text-align: center;" | [[Congestive heart failure]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*On [[Computed tomography|CT scan]]:
** [[Mediastinal lymphadenopathy]]
** Hazy [[mediastinal]] fat
*On [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]]:
** Abnormality of [[cardiac]] chambers ([[Hypertrophy (medical)|hypertrophy]], dilation)
** Delayed enhancement [[MRI]] may help characterize the [[myocardial]] [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] ([[fibrosis]])
** Late enhancement of contrast in conditions such as [[myocarditis]], [[sarcoidosis]], [[amyloidosis]], [[Anderson-Fabry disease|Anderson-Fabry]]'s disease, [[Chagas disease]])
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Goldberg's criteria may aid in diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction: (High specificity)
**[[S wave|S]]V1 or [[S wave|S]]V2 + [[R wave|R]]V5 or [[R wave|R]]V6 ≥3.5 mV
**Total [[QRS complex|QRS]] amplitude in each of the limb leads ≤0.8 mV
** [[R wave|R]]/[[S wave|S]] ratio <1 in lead V4
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*[[Cardiomegaly]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Previous [[myocardial infarction]]
*[[Hypertension]] ([[Systemic hypertension|systemic]] and [[Pulmonary hypertension|pulmonary]])
*[[Cardiac arrhythmia|Cardiac arrythmias]]
*[[Viral]] infections ([[myocarditis]])
*[[Congenital heart disease|Congenital heart defects]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*[[Right heart failure]] associated with:
**[[Hepatomegaly]]
**Positive hepato-jugular reflex
**Increased [[jugular venous pressure]]
**[[Peripheral edema]]
*[[Left heart failure]] associated with:
**[[Pulmonary edema]]
**Eventual [[right heart failure]]
|-
| style="background: #DCDCDC; padding: 5px; text-align: center;" |[[Pulmonary embolism]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px; text-align:center" |
* On [[CT angiography]]:
** Intra-luminal filling defect
*On [[MRI]]:
** Narrowing of involved [[Blood vessel|vessel]]
** No contrast seen distal to [[obstruction]]
** Polo-mint sign (partial filling defect surrounded by contrast)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
* [[Pulmonary embolism electrocardiogram|S1Q3T3]] pattern representing acute [[right heart]] strain
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
* [[Fleischner sign]] (enlarged pulmonary artery), [[Hampton's hump|Hampton hump]], [[Westermark's sign]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔ (Low grade)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔ (In case of massive PE)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Hypercoagulating conditions ([[Factor V Leiden]], [[thrombophilia]], [[deep vein thrombosis]], immobilization, [[malignancy]], [[pregnancy]])
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
* May be associated with [[metabolic alkalosis]] and [[syncope]]
|-
| style="background: #DCDCDC; padding: 5px; text-align: center;" |[[Percarditis]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*On contrast enhanced [[Computed tomography|CT scan]]:
**Enhancement of the [[pericardium]] (due to [[inflammation]])
**[[Pericardial effusion]]
**[[Pericardial calcification]]
*On [[gadolinium]]-enhanced fat-saturated [[Magnetic resonance imaging|T1-weighted MRI]]:
**[[Pericardial]] enhancement (due to [[inflammation]])
**[[Pericardial effusion]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*ST elevation
*PR depression
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Large collection of fluid inside the pericardial sac (pericardial effusion)
*Calcification of pericardial sac
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔ (Low grade)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔ (Relieved by sitting up and leaning forward)
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |✔
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" | -
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*Infections:
**[[Viral]] (Coxsackie virus, [[Herpes simplex virus|Herpes virus]], [[Mumps virus]], [[Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)|HIV]])
**[[Bacteria]] ([[Mycobacterium tuberculosis]]-common in developing countries)
**[[Fungal]] ([[Histoplasmosis]])
*Idiopathic in a large number of cases
*[[Autoimmune]]
*[[Uremia]]
*[[Malignancy]]
*Previous [[myocardial infarction]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*May be clinically classified into:
**Acute (< 6 weeks)
**Sub-acute (6 weeks - 6 months)
**Chronic (> 6 months)
|-
| style="background: #DCDCDC; padding: 5px; text-align: center;" |[[Vasculitis]]
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |
*On [[Computed tomography|CT scan]]: ([[Takayasu's arteritis|Takayasu arteritis]])
**[[Blood vessel|Vessel]] wall thickening
**Luminal narrowing of [[pulmonary artery]]
**Masses or nodules ([[Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody|ANCA]]-associated granulomatous vasculitis)
*On [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]]:
Homogeneous, circumferential [[Blood vessel|vessel]] wall [[swelling]]
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*[[Bundle branch block|Right or left bundle-branch block]] ([[Churg-Strauss syndrome]])
*[[Atrial fibrillation]] ([[Churg-Strauss syndrome]])
*Non-specific [[ST interval|ST segment]] and [[T wave]] changes
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*[[Nodule (medicine)|Nodules]]
*[[Cavitation]]
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*[[Takayasu's arteritis|Takayasu arteritis]] usually found in persons aged 4-60 years with a mean of 30
*[[Giant-cell arteritis]] usually occurrs in persons aged > 60 years
*[[Churg-Strauss syndrome]] may present with [[asthma]], [[sinusitis]], transient [[pulmonary]] infiltrates and neuropathy alongwith [[cardiac]] involvement
*Granulomatous vasculitides may present with [[nephritis]] and [[upper airway]] ([[nasopharyngeal]]) destruction
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</small>


==References==
==References==
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{{Reflist|2}}
 
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Latest revision as of 23:44, 29 July 2020

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]; Nate Michalak, B.A.

Overview

Evaluation of a patient with a pleural effusion requires a thorough clinical history and physical examination in conjunction with pertinent laboratory tests and imaging studies. According to the British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Guideline 2010, thoracentesis should not be performed for bilateral effusions in a clinical setting strongly suggestive of a transudate unless there are atypical features or they fail to respond to therapy. Pleural fluid should always be sent for protein, lactate dehydrogenase, Gram stain, cytology and microbiological culture.[1] Additional studies which may be indicated in selected cases include pH, glucose, acid-fast bacilli and tuberculosis culture, triglyceride, cholesterol, amylase, and hematocrit. Light's criteria is applied to distinguish the fluid between transudative or exudative.[2] A broad array of underlying conditions result in exudative effusions, while a limited number of disorders are assoicated with transudative effusions, which include congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, peritoneal dialysis, hypoalbuminemia, urinothorax, atelectasis, constrictive pericarditis, trapped lung, superior vena cava obstruction, and duropleural fistula.

Differentiating Pleural Effusion from other Diseases

Exudative Pleural Effusions

Etiology Underlying conditions
Infectious Bacterial pneumonia, tuberculous effusion, fungal disease, atypical pneumonia, nocardia, actinomyces, subphrenic abscess, hepatic abscess, splenic abscess, hepatitis, parasites
Iatrogenic Drug-induced, esophageal perforation, esophageal sclerotherapy, central venous catheter misplacement or migration, enteral feeding tube in pleural space
Vasculitis Wegener granulomatosis, Churg–Strauss syndrome, familial Mediterranean fever
Malignancy Carcinoma, lymphoma, mesothelioma, leukemia, chylothorax
Inflammatory Pancreatitis, benign asbestos pleural effusion (BAPE), pulmonary infarction, radiation therapy, sarcoidosis, post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS), hemothorax, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cholesterol effusion
Increased negative intrapleural pressure Atelectasis, trapped lung
Connective tissue disease Lupus pleuritis, rheumatoid pleuritis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren syndrome
Endocrine dysfunction Hypothyroidism, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Lymphatic abnormalities Chylothorax, yellow nail syndrome, lymphangiomyomatosis, lymphangiectasis
Movement of fluid from abdomen to pleural space Acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, Meigs syndrome, chylous ascites

Other Differentials

Pleural effusions should be differentiated from other diseases presenting with chronic cough, shortness of breath and tachypnea. The differentials include the following:[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

Diseases Diagnostic tests Physical Examination Symptoms Past medical history Other Findings
CT scan and MRI EKG Chest X-ray Tachypnea Tachycardia Fever Chest Pain Hemoptysis Dyspnea on Exertion Wheezing Chest Tenderness Nasalopharyngeal Ulceration Carotid Bruit
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • On CT scan:
  • On MRI:
    • Increased diameter of pulmonary arteries
    • Peripheral pulmonary vasculature attentuation
    • Loss of retrosternal airspace due to right ventricular enlargement
    • Hyperpolarized Helium MRI may show progressively poor ventilation and destruction of lung
 ✔ ✔ - - - ✔ ✔ - - -
Pneumonia ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ - ✔ ✔ - - -
Congestive heart failure
  • Goldberg's criteria may aid in diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction: (High specificity)
    • SV1 or SV2 + RV5 or RV6 ≥3.5 mV
    • Total QRS amplitude in each of the limb leads ≤0.8 mV
    • R/S ratio <1 in lead V4
 ✔ ✔ ✔ - - ✔ - - - -
Pulmonary embolism
  • On CT angiography:
    • Intra-luminal filling defect
  • On MRI:
    • Narrowing of involved vessel
    • No contrast seen distal to obstruction
    • Polo-mint sign (partial filling defect surrounded by contrast)
 ✔ ✔ ✔ (Low grade) ✔ ✔ (In case of massive PE) ✔ - - - -
Percarditis
  • ST elevation
  • PR depression
  • Large collection of fluid inside the pericardial sac (pericardial effusion)
  • Calcification of pericardial sac
 ✔ ✔ ✔ (Low grade) ✔ (Relieved by sitting up and leaning forward) - ✔ - - - -
  • May be clinically classified into:
    • Acute (< 6 weeks)
    • Sub-acute (6 weeks - 6 months)
    • Chronic (> 6 months)
Vasculitis

Homogeneous, circumferential vessel wall swelling

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ - ✔ ✔ ✔

References

  1. ↑ Hooper C, Lee YC, Maskell N (2010). "Investigation of a unilateral pleural effusion in adults: British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Guideline 2010". Thorax. 65 Suppl 2: ii4–17. doi:10.1136/thx.2010.136978. PMID 20696692. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ Light RW, Macgregor MI, Luchsinger PC, Ball WC (1972). "Pleural effusions: the diagnostic separation of transudates and exudates". Ann. Intern. Med. 77 (4): 507–13. PMID 4642731. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ↑ Brenes-Salazar JA (2014). "Westermark's and Palla's signs in acute and chronic pulmonary embolism: Still valid in the current computed tomography era". J Emerg Trauma Shock. 7 (1): 57–8. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.125645. PMC 3912657. PMID 24550636.
  4. ↑ "CT Angiography of Pulmonary Embolism: Diagnostic Criteria and Causes of Misdiagnosis | RadioGraphics".
  5. ↑ Bĕlohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A (2013). "Pulmonary embolism, part I: Epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism". Exp Clin Cardiol. 18 (2): 129–38. PMC 3718593. PMID 23940438.
  6. ↑ "Pulmonary Embolism: Symptoms - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health".
  7. ↑ Ramani GV, Uber PA, Mehra MR (2010). "Chronic heart failure: contemporary diagnosis and management". Mayo Clin. Proc. 85 (2): 180–95. doi:10.4065/mcp.2009.0494. PMC 2813829. PMID 20118395.
  8. ↑ Blinderman CD, Homel P, Billings JA, Portenoy RK, Tennstedt SL (2008). "Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced congestive heart failure". J Pain Symptom Manage. 35 (6): 594–603. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.06.007. PMC 2662445. PMID 18215495.
  9. ↑ Hawkins NM, Petrie MC, Jhund PS, Chalmers GW, Dunn FG, McMurray JJ (2009). "Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: diagnostic pitfalls and epidemiology". Eur. J. Heart Fail. 11 (2): 130–9. doi:10.1093/eurjhf/hfn013. PMC 2639415. PMID 19168510.
  10. ↑ Takasugi JE, Godwin JD (1998). "Radiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". Radiol. Clin. North Am. 36 (1): 29–55. PMID 9465867.
  11. ↑ Wedzicha JA, Donaldson GC (2003). "Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". Respir Care. 48 (12): 1204–13, discussion 1213–5. PMID 14651761.
  12. ↑ Nakawah MO, Hawkins C, Barbandi F (2013). "Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the overlap syndrome". J Am Board Fam Med. 26 (4): 470–7. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2013.04.120256. PMID 23833163.
  13. ↑ Khandaker MH, Espinosa RE, Nishimura RA, Sinak LJ, Hayes SN, Melduni RM, Oh JK (2010). "Pericardial disease: diagnosis and management". Mayo Clin. Proc. 85 (6): 572–93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0046. PMC 2878263. PMID 20511488.
  14. ↑ Bogaert J, Francone M (2013). "Pericardial disease: value of CT and MR imaging". Radiology. 267 (2): 340–56. doi:10.1148/radiol.13121059. PMID 23610095.
  15. ↑ Gharib AM, Stern EJ (2001). "Radiology of pneumonia". Med. Clin. North Am. 85 (6): 1461–91, x. PMID 11680112.
  16. ↑ Schmidt WA (2013). "Imaging in vasculitis". Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 27 (1): 107–18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.01.001. PMID 23507061.
  17. ↑ Suresh E (2006). "Diagnostic approach to patients with suspected vasculitis". Postgrad Med J. 82 (970): 483–8. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.042648. PMC 2585712. PMID 16891436.
  18. ↑ Stein PD, Dalen JE, McIntyre KM, Sasahara AA, Wenger NK, Willis PW (1975). "The electrocardiogram in acute pulmonary embolism". Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 17 (4): 247–57. PMID 123074.
  19. ↑ Warnier MJ, Rutten FH, Numans ME, Kors JA, Tan HL, de Boer A, Hoes AW, De Bruin ML (2013). "Electrocardiographic characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". COPD. 10 (1): 62–71. doi:10.3109/15412555.2012.727918. PMID 23413894.
  20. ↑ Stein PD, Matta F, Ekkah M, Saleh T, Janjua M, Patel YR, Khadra H (2012). "Electrocardiogram in pneumonia". Am. J. Cardiol. 110 (12): 1836–40. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.08.019. PMID 23000104.
  21. ↑ Hazebroek MR, Kemna MJ, Schalla S, Sanders-van Wijk S, Gerretsen SC, Dennert R, Merken J, Kuznetsova T, Staessen JA, Brunner-La Rocca HP, van Paassen P, Cohen Tervaert JW, Heymans S (2015). "Prevalence and prognostic relevance of cardiac involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis: eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis". Int. J. Cardiol. 199: 170–9. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.06.087. PMID 26209947.
  22. ↑ Dennert RM, van Paassen P, Schalla S, Kuznetsova T, Alzand BS, Staessen JA, Velthuis S, Crijns HJ, Tervaert JW, Heymans S (2010). "Cardiac involvement in Churg-Strauss syndrome". Arthritis Rheum. 62 (2): 627–34. doi:10.1002/art.27263. PMID 20112390.

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