| Disease |
PLEURITIS AND PLEURAL EFFUSION |
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| Quotation |
" keep your ear on the chest and you can hear sounds like the crreaking of new leather" |
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| Definition |
A Pleural effusion is an anormal accumulation of fluid within the pleural space as a manifestation of systemic or intrathoracic desease. Pleuritis denoted a basic inflamatory response of the pleural memebranes, of varied aetiology. |
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| Prognosis |
Depends upon the cause. Tuberculous effusions clear up on appropriate therapy. Inadequate therapy might leave thickened pleaura as sequel. |
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| General Measures |
Empyema antibiotics, chest tube drainage,pleurectomy in cases of \'trapped lung, thoracoscopy. Malignant pleural effusion Treatment of underlying malignancy thoracocentesis, chest tube drainage for symptomatic management. Chylous effusion Surgical ligationof thoracic duct. In traumatic chylothorax, Radiation in cases of malignancy. Hemorrhagic effusion Treatment of primary cause. Hemothorax From Trauma and will need tohoracostomy tube drainage. Transudative effusion Anti-congestive measure for cardiac failure, which is the most usual cause. For nephrotic syndrome, refer Chapter \'Nephrotic syndrome\'. |
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| Follow Up |
Chest X-ray every 3 months until return to normal in Tuberculous effusion. For others, as ditated y the cause. |
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| Inadequate Response |
In tuberculous effusion massive and recurring, a course of corticosteroids has been advocated. |
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| Prevention |
Depending on the cause. |
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| Reference From |
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat View as HTML Website: www.cma. Ca/cmaj/vol-165/issue-12/pdf/pg 1637. pdf |
