Medicines for Pleural effusion

What it is

A pleural effusion is a build-up of excess fluid in the space between the two thin layers (the pleura) that line the lung and the inside of the chest. As fluid collects, it presses on the lung and can cause breathlessness (especially on exertion), chest discomfort or a dull ache, and sometimes a dry cough; a small effusion may cause few symptoms. It is not a disease in itself but a sign of an underlying problem, and there are many possible causes — including heart failure (a common cause), infections such as pneumonia, cancer, liver or kidney disease, blood clots in the lungs, and inflammatory conditions. Identifying the cause is central to treatment. It is found on examination and confirmed with a chest X-ray, ultrasound or scan, and a sample of the fluid is often taken to help find the cause.

How it is treated

Treatment has two aims: relieving symptoms and treating the underlying cause. If the effusion is large and causing breathlessness, the fluid can be drained (by inserting a needle or tube) to help the person breathe more easily and to obtain a sample for testing. The cause is then treated — for example, treating heart failure, an infection, or an underlying cancer — which often prevents the fluid returning. Where an effusion is due to infection and becomes infected itself (an empyema), it needs specific treatment including drainage and antibiotics. For effusions that keep coming back, particularly with cancer, procedures to prevent recurrence or a long-term drain may be used. Because the causes range widely, assessment to find and treat the underlying problem is the key part of care, guided by the relevant specialist.