Pleural effusion classification

Pleural effusion Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pleural Effusion from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT Scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Pleural effusion classification On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pleural effusion classification All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Pleural effusion classification
CDC on Pleural effusion classification
Pleural effusion classification in the news
Blogs on Pleural effusion classification
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pleural effusion
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pleural effusion classification

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

Classification

Pleural effusion may be classified according to composition of pleural fluid by Light's criteria into two subtypes:

exudate and transudate

Pleural effusion may also be classified according to the appearance of pleural fluid, and etiology of the pleural fluid as follows:

Gross appearance

• Serous fluid (hydrothorax)
• Blood (hemothorax)
• Chyle (chylothorax)
• Pus (pyothorax or empyema)

Infectious and noninfectious

Some of the infectious causes are pneumonia, hepatitis, liver abscess, tuberculous pleural effusion, splenic abscess and subphrenic abscess. Some non-infectious causes of pleural effusion include; benign asbestos pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, radiation therapy, and malignancy (local/metastatic carcinoma, lymphoma, mesothelioma, Leukemia, paraproteinemia)