Pleurisy

Alternative names:

pleuritis

Definition:

Inflammation of the pleural lining with subsequent pain.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pleurisy may develop in the presence of bacterial lung infections, upper respiratory infections, tuberculosis, rheumatoid diseases, and lung neoplasms. The principle symptom is pain over the chest wall at the site of the inflammation. The pain is increased by deep breathing, coughing, and chest movement. The normally smooth pleural surfaces, now roughened by inflammation, rub together with each breath and may produce a rough grating sound called a "friction rub" which can be heard with the stethoscope or an ear held against the chest.

Fluid can accumulate at the site of pleural inflammation. A localized collection of fluid separates the lung pleura from the chest wall pleura causing the chest pain to disappear even though the illness may be worsening. Large accumulations of fluid compromise breathing and may cause coughing, shortness of breath with rapid breathing (tachypnea), and cyanosis, and retractions.