Pleural Effusion

📖What is Pleural Effusion?

Pleural effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, the thin gap between the two membranes that line the lungs and chest cavity. This fluid buildup can compress the adjacent lung tissue, restricting its ability to expand fully during breathing and leading to breathlessness that worsens as the volume of fluid increases. Pleural effusion is not a disease in itself but rather a sign of an underlying condition, ranging from heart failure and infection to cancer and liver or kidney disease. The characteristics of the fluid, determined through a procedure called thoracentesis, help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment. Prompt evaluation is important since the underlying cause can range from relatively benign to serious and life-threatening.

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