To confirm a diagnosis, he or she may also request an imaging test, which could be a chest X-ray , ultrasound, or computed tomography CT scan. To further help with diagnosis, a doctor may extract a sample of the excess fluid to be tested to determine the cause. The best way is to treat the cause of the effusion. If the cause is pneumonia, a doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection, which may also cause the fluid to go away.
If fluid build-up has been caused by congestive heart failure, a physician will likely prescribe diuretics, such as Lasix, for treatment. For large pleural effusions, or for those with an unknown cause, the fluid will need to be drained through a procedure called thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle in the space between the lung and the chest wall and draining the liquid. In these cases, a doctor may also send a sample of fluid to be tested for other causes, such as lung cancer, for example.
Some patients may require a pleural drain that is inserted through the skin so that the buildup of fluid can be drained repeatedly without the need for repeated thoracentesis.
For lung cancer patients, he explains, the buildup is likely to occur again. At Yale Medicine, patients receive care from a team of physicians who specialize in dealing with pleural effusions. The clinical care team includes a physician assistant and an advanced practice registered nurse who are trained in this subspecialty. What makes Yale especially unique, Dr.
Many conditions can cause it. Here are some of the most common causes :. Some people do not experience any symptoms of pleural effusion.
If symptoms do occur, they typically start to appear as fluid fills the chest cavity. Persistent hiccups may also be a symptom of pleural effusion.
Some people only find out they have pleural effusion when they undergo a test for another condition. Also, it is important to note that the symptoms of pleural effusion can resemble those of other lung conditions.
A person needs prompt medical help if they experience any of these symptoms. Explore the model using your mouse pad or touchscreen to learn more about this condition.
It can be challenging to diagnose pleural effusion , as the symptoms may overlap with those of many other conditions. The healthcare professional will also need to determine whether the effusion is transudate or exudate. The sections below will look at these types in more detail. Transudate effusion usually occurs when another condition causes a pressure imbalance in the blood vessels. As a result, fluid leaks back into the chest.
The liquid in the effusion will likely consist of compounds from blood plasma. A healthcare professional may take a sample of fluid from the pleural space by inserting a needle between the ribs. These samples can help detect signs of infection, protein levels, and cancer cells. They can also help determine whether the individual has complicated or uncomplicated pleural effusion. In complicated pleural effusion, signs of inflammation or infection will be present in the fluid.
The person may need immediate treatment to prevent potentially serious complications. In uncomplicated effusion, there will be no sign of infection or inflammation in the fluid.
Uncomplicated effusion may be milder and is less likely to result in permanent lung damage. These tests help the healthcare professional narrow down the cause of pleural effusion and provide appropriate treatment.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. As well as treating the underlying condition, a healthcare professional may need to drain the fluid from the chest. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Pleural Effusion. Top of the page. How is pleural effusion diagnosed? What are the symptoms? Symptoms of pleural effusion may include: Trouble breathing.
Shortness of breath. Chest pain. A fever. A cough. A minor pleural effusion may not cause any symptoms. What causes pleural effusion?
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