Pleural effusion overview: Difference between revisions
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
Healthy individuals have less than 15 ml of fluid in each [[pleural space]]. Normally, fluid enters the pleural space from the [[capillaries]] in the [[Pleural cavity|parietal pleura]], from interstitial spaces of the lung via the [[Pleural cavity|visceral pleura]], or from the [[peritoneal cavity]] through small holes in the [[diaphragm (anatomy)|diaphragm]]. This fluid is normally removed by [[lymphatics]] in the visceral pleura, which have the capacity to absorb 20 times more fluid than is normally formed. When this capacity is overwhelmed, either through excess formation or decreased lymphatic absorption, a pleural effusion develops. | Healthy individuals have less than 15 ml of fluid in each [[pleural space]]. Normally, fluid enters the pleural space from the [[capillaries]] in the [[Pleural cavity|parietal pleura]], from interstitial spaces of the lung via the [[Pleural cavity|visceral pleura]], or from the [[peritoneal cavity]] through small holes in the [[diaphragm (anatomy)|diaphragm]]. This fluid is normally removed by [[lymphatics]] in the visceral pleura, which have the capacity to absorb 20 times more fluid than is normally formed. When this capacity is overwhelmed, either through excess formation or decreased lymphatic absorption, a pleural effusion develops. | ||
==Treatment== | |||
===Physical Examination=== | |||
Once accumulated fluid is more than 500 ml, there are usually detectable clinical signs in the patient, such as decreased movement of the chest on the affected side, dullness to [[percussion]] over the fluid, diminished [[breath sounds]] on the affected side, decreased vocal [[fremitus]] and resonance, pleural [[friction rub]], and [[egophony]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 19:51, 10 April 2013
|
Pleural effusion Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Pleural effusion overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pleural effusion overview |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pleural effusion overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pleural effusion is excess fluid that accumulates in the pleural cavity, the fluid-filled space that surrounds the lungs.
Four types of fluids can accumulate in the pleural space:
- Serous fluid (hydrothorax)
- Blood (hemothorax)
- Chyle (chylothorax)
- Pus (pyothorax or empyema)
Pathophysiology
Healthy individuals have less than 15 ml of fluid in each pleural space. Normally, fluid enters the pleural space from the capillaries in the parietal pleura, from interstitial spaces of the lung via the visceral pleura, or from the peritoneal cavity through small holes in the diaphragm. This fluid is normally removed by lymphatics in the visceral pleura, which have the capacity to absorb 20 times more fluid than is normally formed. When this capacity is overwhelmed, either through excess formation or decreased lymphatic absorption, a pleural effusion develops.
Treatment
Physical Examination
Once accumulated fluid is more than 500 ml, there are usually detectable clinical signs in the patient, such as decreased movement of the chest on the affected side, dullness to percussion over the fluid, diminished breath sounds on the affected side, decreased vocal fremitus and resonance, pleural friction rub, and egophony.