Pleural effusion

Alternative names:

exudative pleural effusion; fluid in the chest; transudative pleural effusion

Treatment:

Treatment addresses the cause of the effusion (the underlying disease) and the effusion itself.

Therapeutic thoracentesis may be done if the fluid collection is large and causing pressure or shortness of breath. In cancer patients, the effusion is often treated by using a chest tube to drain the fluid by a chest tube, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or instilling medication within the chest that prevents reaccumulation of fluid after drainage. Pleural effusions caused by infection are treated with antibiotics specific to the causative organism.

Expectations (prognosis):

The expected outcome depends upon the underlying disease. In cancer, the outcome is usually poor.

Complications:

Pneumothorax (air within the chest cavity) is a complication of the thoracentesis procedure.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of pleural effusion develop.

Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if shortness of breath or difficulty breathing occurs immediately after thoracentesis.