Treatment of Pleural Effusion

Treatment of Pleural Effusion
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What is Pleural Effusion

The pleura are the thin tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity. Pleural fluid is produced by your body so that the surfaces of the pleura are lubricated. Pleural effusion happens when there is excessive amount of accumulated pleura in between the layers of the tissue.

Types of Pleural Effusion

There are two types of pleural effusions that can occur. A low protein content and elevated pressure in the blood vessels when suffering from congestive heart failure causes transudative pleural effusion, while lung diseases, such as lung cancer, or lung infections, like pneumonia and tuberculosis, cause exudative effusions where the blood vessels leak causing the inflammation of the pleura.

Symptoms of Pleural Effusion

There are times when the individual will not suffer any symptoms. However, the following are known symptoms of pleural effusion:

  • Sharp pains in the chest when coughing or taking in deep breaths.
  • Fever
  • Hiccups
  • Extreme cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid breathing or you may feel like running out of breath

Treatments

If pleural effusion diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor may first treat the underlying medical condition that is causing it. For cases of pneumonia for example, antibiotics may be prescribed or for congestive heart failure, diuretics may be given to treat the medical condition and in turn treat the effusion as well.

Thoracentesis

If the fluid collection has accumulated into a large amount and you are having breathing problems then the doctor may do a procedure to drain the fluid called Thoracentesis. A local anesthetic is injected in the small area of your chest after washing it with sterilizing liquid. Above the rib where the pleural space is, your doctor will insert a thoracentesis needle to remove the excess fluid to give relief from pain.

Tube Thoracotomy (Chest Tube)

This type of draining method usually last for several days. A chest tube that is attached to a suction device is inserted into the pleural space. The size of the chest tube is usually as big as a small finger and will need to be sutured into place as well as the skin around the tube. You will be given light sedative and analgesic intravenously during the procedure. To limit the risk of infection, the area where the chest tube is to be inserted is prepped with solutions containing iodine as well as requirements for intake of antibiotics.

Pleural Catheter

This type of treatment is for reoccurring pleural effusion. A catheter is inserted in the pleural space through the skin for long term use. The draining of the pleural effusion can be done at home.

Pleurodesis

Doxycycline or talc is inserted into the pleural space using a chest tube to inflame the pleura and the chest wall. Pleurodesis often times stops pleural effusion from reoccurring.

Consult your physician to learn more about your specific medical condition to know the best treatment for pleural effusion.

References:

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000086.htm

https://www.pulmonologychannel.com/pleuraleffusion/treatment.shtml

https://www.webmd.com/lung/pleural-effusion-symptoms-causes-treatments?page=2