Pleural effusion
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis

Clinically, effusions may be categorized as either transudates or exudates. Thoracentesis and laboratory evaluation as well as radiographic characteristics distinguish between these types.
History and imaging findings may support one etiology of pleural effusion over another, but analysis of the pleural fluid provides more definitive diagnosis as well as therapeutic management in cases where the pleural effusion is impeding respiratory status.
Transudative pleural effusions are due to conditions in which there is an imbalance in hydrostatic and oncotic forces such as with heart failure, cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome.
Exudative effusions are due to inflammation from infection or noninfectious etiologies, injury, malignancy, and impaired lymphatic drainage. The primary method of distinguishing transudate from exudate is Light's criteria:
- Pleural fluid protein to serum protein ratio >0.5, or
- Pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to serum LDH ratio >0.6, or
- Pleural fluid LDH >2/3 upper limit of laboratories' normal LDH
Codes
ICD10CM:J90 – Pleural effusion, not elsewhere classified
SNOMEDCT:
60046008 – Pleural effusion
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
The differential is vast and often requires a careful history and, ultimately, correlation with thoracentesis and fluid sampling. The differential includes:- Malignancy
- Mesothelioma
- Congestive heart failure
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Cirrhosis
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Uremia
- Pneumonia (viral, bacterial, mycobacterial)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Chylothorax
- Hypothyroidism
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Abdominal abscess
- Pancreatitis (acute, chronic)
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:06/18/2018
Last Updated:07/12/2018
Last Updated:07/12/2018
Pleural effusion
