RT Book, Section
A1 Jameson, J. Larry
A1 Fauci, Anthony S.
A1 Kasper, Dennis L.
A1 Hauser, Stephen L.
A1 Longo, Dan L.
A1 Loscalzo, Joseph
SR Print(0)
ID 1167067369
T1 Diseases of the Pleura
T2 Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 20e
YR 2020
FD 2020
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260455342
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1167067369
RD 2024/04/25
AB Pleural  effusion  is  defined  as  excess  fluid  accumulation  in  the  pleural  space.  Pleural  effusions  are  typically  detected  by  chest  imaging  (radiograph  or  CT);  chest  ultrasound  can  guide  thoracentesis  procedures.  The  two  major  classes  of  pleural  effusions  are  transudates,  which  are  caused  by  systemic  influences  on  pleural  fluid  formation  or  resorption,  and  exudates,  which  are  caused  by  local  influences  on  pleural  fluid  formation  and  resorption.  Common  causes  of  transudative  effusions  are  left  ventricular  heart  failure,  cirrhosis,  and  nephrotic  syndrome.  Common  causes  of  exudative  effusions  are  bacterial  pneumonia,  malignancy,  viral  infection,  and  pulmonary  embolism.  A  more  comprehensive  list  of  the  etiologies  of  transudative  and  exudative  pleural  effusions  is  provided  in  Table  137-1.  Additional  diagnostic  procedures  are  indicated  with  exudative  effusions  to  define  the  cause  of  the  local  disease.