What is a loculated pleural effusion?
Fibrotic scar tissue may develop, creating pockets of fluid in the pleural cavity, preventing effective drainage of the fluid. This condition is designated as a Loculated Pleural Effusion (LPE) and leads to pain and shortness of breath, as the lungs are not able to properly expand.
How serious is bilateral pleural effusion?
The seriousness of the condition depends on the primary cause of pleural effusion, whether breathing is affected, and whether it can be treated effectively. Causes of pleural effusion that can be effectively treated or controlled include an infection due to a virus, pneumonia or heart failure.
What is exudate pleural effusion?
Pleural effusions are accumulations of fluid within the pleural space. They have multiple causes and usually are classified as transudates or exudates. Detection is by physical examination and chest x-ray; thoracentesis and pleural fluid analysis are often required to determine cause.
How long can you live with bilateral pleural effusion?
Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPE) have life expectancies ranging from 3 to 12 months, depending on the type and stage of their primary malignancy.
How do they fix pleural effusion?
Pleural effusion can also be treated by removing fluid from the pleural space. This may help relieve symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest pain. It can also help the lungs to expand more fully. Fluid can be removed by placing a needle into the pleural space.
Can pleural effusion be cured?
A malignant pleural effusion is treatable. But it can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
Can bilateral pleural effusion be cured?
Your doctor may need to treat only the medical condition that caused the pleural effusion. You would get antibiotics for pneumonia, for instance, or diuretics for congestive heart failure. Large, infected, or inflamed pleural effusions often need to get drained to help you feel better and prevent more problems.
Is bilateral pleural effusion pneumonia?
Congestive heart failure is the most common cause of transudative pleural effusions, while infection (pneumonia) and malignancy are the most common causes of exudative pleural effusions.
What is the most common cause of exudative pleural effusion?
Pneumonia, cancer, tuberculosis, and pulmonary embolism account for most exudative effusions. Many pleural fluid tests are useful in the differential diagnosis of exudative effusions. Other tests helpful for diagnosis include helical computed tomography and thoracoscopy.
What causes bilateral pleural effusion?
The cause of bilateral pleural effusions is generally thought to be due to congestive heart failure (CHF), renal or liver failure, although the only two studies that have objectively evaluated this assumption draw from markedly different populations.
How long does pleural effusion take to heal?
Treatment for some cases of pleural effusion may be managed with medication and other supportive care. Most people recover within a few days or weeks. Minor complications from more invasive treatments can include slight pain and discomfort, which often go away with time.
What happens if pleural effusion is left untreated?
If a malignant pleural effusion is left untreated, a multiloculated effusion may develop or the underlying collapsed lung will become encased by tumor and fibrous tissue in as many as 10% to 30% of cases. Multiloculated effusions are difficult to drain by thoracentesis or chest tube placement.