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What Is a Moderate Pleural Effusion?

A lubricant enables the sliding parts of a machine to operate smoothly. Similarly, the human body produces small amounts of fluid to lubricate the pleural tissue of the chest cavity and the lungs. These linings slide against each other during inhalation. The fluid, called pleural fluid, assists in its smooth functioning. The National Institutes of Health Medline website explains that a pleural effusion occurs when an excess of fluid is present and impairs the ability of the lungs to expand properly. However, moderate pleural effusion is not a disease. Rather, it is an indication of an underlying illness.

  1. Causes

    • Two types of pleural effusions can build up. An increase in fluid due to increased pressure or low protein in the blood vessels causes transudate pleural effusion. Fluid leaks from the blood vessels into the pleural space. The fundamental cause for this is congestive heart failure. Exudate pleural effusion occurs due to blocked blood vessels, inflammation, lung injury and drug reactions. Sometimes, the pleural effusion can have characteristics of both.

    Symptoms

    • The most common symptoms, regardless of the type of effusion, are shortness of breath and chest pain. Excessive pleural fluid can cause difficulty in expanding the lungs thereby causing shortness of breath. An affected person might feel chest pain upon deep breathing or coughing. Severe effusion can be continuously painful. The patient feels pain on the chest wall over the affected area. MedicineNet says it can also be felt in the upper abdominal area, neck and shoulders.

    Diagnosis

    • A thorough physical examination of the chest includes listening to the heart and lungs using a stethoscope. The chest undergoes tapping to check for dullness since the presence of excess fluid decreases air entry. Chest X-ray can confirm the presence of pleural fluid. A chest ultrasound will help to determine whether the fluid is free-flowing or contained in an area. A computerized axial tomography scan can reveal not only the affected lung but also other potential causes. Lab examination of a fluid sample from the affected lung can also assist in confirming the diagnosis besides draining off the excess liquid.

    Treatment

    • The removal of the accumulated fluid, prevention of further accumulation and identifying the primary cause of effusion would be the aims for treating a patient suffering from pleural effusion. Removing the fluid makes breathing easier and increases the blood circulation. The condition can be treated using appropriate medication like diuretics or antibiotics, depending on the cause. In many patients, a Health Guide article in "The New York Times" reveals, a drainage tube can be inserted to remove the excess fluid, thereby preventing accumulation. Moderate pleural effusion is like an alarm bell that is suggestive of a hidden, more serious affliction. Its presence indicates that a core disease has advanced enough to damage the lining of the lung.

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