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Pleural Effusion
Alternate Names : Fluid in the Chest, Pleural Fluid
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Pleural Effusion Treatment
Treatment may be directed at removing the fluid, preventing its re-accumulation, or addressing the underlying cause of the fluid buildup.
Therapeutic thoracentesis may be done if the fluid collection is large and causing pressure or shortness of breath. Treatment of the underlying cause of the effusion then becomes the goal.
For example, pleural effusions caused by congestive heart failure are treated with diuretics and other medications that treat heart failure. Pleural effusions caused by infection are treated with antibiotics specific to the causative organism. In patients with cancer or infections, the effusion is often treated by using a chest tube to drain the fluid. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or instilling medication within the chest that prevents re-accumulation of fluid after drainage may be used in some cases.
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• Definition
• Pleural Effusion Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Pleural Effusion Symptoms & Signs
• Pleural Effusion Diagnosis & Tests
• Pleural Effusion Treatment
• Pleural Effusion Prognosis
• Pleural Effusion Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Asbestosis
• Cancer
• Heart Failure
• Pneumothorax
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
Tests & Exams
• Chest X-Ray
• Pleural Fluid Analysis
• Thoracentesis
• Thoracic CT
Other Topics
• Breathing Difficulty
• Chemotherapy
• Chest Pain
• Cough
• Hiccups
• Radiation Therapy
• Rapid Deep Breathing (Hyperventilation)
Review Date : 11/10/2002
Reviewed By : Darrell N. Kotton, M.D., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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