Pleural effusion overview

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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)