Pleural Diseases

Pleural Diseases

The pleura (ploor´-uh) is the membrane that lines your chest (thoracic) cavity and covers your lungs. The layers of your pleura contain a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant as you breathe in and out. The space between the layers is called the pleural cavity.

Pleural effusion, which is excess fluid in the pleural cavity, is one of the most common problems seen by primary care physicians.

Some estimates report an incidence of one million cases of pleural effusion in the United States each year.

Causes Of Pleural Diseases

The causes of pleural disease depend upon what type of disease you have.

  • Pleural effusion is excess fluid in the pleural cavity. The most common cause is congestive heart failure. Other causes include lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, liver disease, pulmonary embolism, lupus, and reaction to certain medications.

  • Pleurisy is pain associated with inflammation of the pleural cavity. The most common cause is a viral infection, such as influenza. Other causes include bacterial and fungal infections, lung cancer, other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and mesothelioma, and reaction to certain medications.

  • Pneumothorax is a buildup of air or gas in the pleural cavity around the lung that causes the lung to collapse. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, and trauma are the most common causes.

  • Hemothorax is a buildup of blood in the pleural cavity. Chest trauma is the most common cause, but lung and pleural cancer and chest or heart surgery can also cause a hemothorax.
  • Pleural tumors are cancerous tissues in the pleural cavity. Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Other times, pleural tumors are cancers that have spread from other areas of the body.

Symptoms Of Pleural Diseases

  • Shortness Of Breath
  • Chest Pain
  • Unexplained Weight Loss
  • Fatigue

Symptoms of pleural disease also depend upon what type of disease you have.

  • Pleural effusion generally causes no symptoms and, by itself, is not serious.
  • Symptoms of pleurisy may include a sharp pain when breathing, shortness of breath, a cough, fever and chills, rapid breathing, unexplained weight loss, and sore throat followed by joint swelling and soreness.
  • Pneumothorax can cause a sharp pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply, chest tightness, fatigue, a fast heart rate, and a bluish skin color (cyanosis).
  • Symptoms of hemothorax may include chest pain, shortness of breath, respiratory failure, a fast heart rate, anxiety, and restlessness.
  • Pleural tumors are cancerous tissues in the pleural cavity and may cause shortness of breath, chest pain, general discomfort, cough, and unexplained weight loss.

Pleural diseases include pleural effusion, pleurisy, pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pleural tumors.

Diagnosis And Treatment Options

CT scan showing giant compressive malignant fibrous tumor of the pleura

After taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination, your doctor may order any of the following: chest radiography (X-ray), computed tomography (CT scan), blood tests, etc.

Your treatment will vary depending on the type of pleural disease you have. If you require surgery, you will need to consult with a cardiothoracic surgeon to determine your treatment options.

Below are examples of treatment options for pleural diseases. Talk to your doctor about the treatment that is right for you.
Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery (VATS) or Robotic Assisted Surgery

Minimally invasive alternatives to open chest surgery that involves less pain and recovery time. After you receive a sedative, your surgeon will make tiny incisions in your chest and then insert a fiber-optic camera called a thorascope. Images from the thorascope will give the surgeon important information that will help guide the appropriate treatment.

Thoracentesis

Using a needle or catheter that your surgeon inserts through your ribs in the back of your chest into your chest wall, the excess pleural fluid will be removed.

Pleurodesis

A procedure in which your surgeon will inject a chemical agent into your pleural space. The chemical will irritate the pleural layers and eliminate the chance for fluid buildup.

Treatment for mechanical problems (fluid, air, or blood) focuses mainly on removing the fluid, air, or blood from the pleural space, relieving the symptoms, and treating the underlying condition.

Recovery

Your recovery time will vary depending on the type of pleural disease you have and how it was treated.