Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyema Despite the advent of potent antibiotics, bacterial pneumonia still results in significant morbidity and mortality in the American population. The annual incidence of bacterial pneumonia is…
Primary Tumors of the Pleura Malignant Mesotheliomas Solitary Fibrous Tumors Body Cavity Lymphoma Pyothorax-Associated Lymphoma MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMAS Malignant mesotheliomas are thought to arise from the mesothelial cells that line the…
Pleural Effusions Related to Metastatic Malignancies INCIDENCE Malignant disease involving the pleura is the second leading cause of exudative pleural effusions after parapneumonic effusions. Because many parapneumonic effusions are small…
Approach to the Patient Whenever a patient with an abnormal chest radiograph is evaluated, the possibility of a pleural effusion should be considered. Increased densities on the chest radiograph are…
Transudative Pleural Effusions Transudative pleural effusions occur when the systemic factors influencing the formation and absorption of pleural fluids are altered so that pleural fluid accumulates. In this chapter, the…
Animal Models in Pleural Investigation The pleural space is involved in many different disease processes. Animal models of pleural disease offer the opportunity to answer many questions regarding the pathophysiology…
Clinical Manifestations and Useful Tests Normally, the pleural space contains only a few milliliters of pleural fluid. If fluid in the pleural space is detected on a radiologic examination, it…
Radiographic Examinations PLEURAL EFFUSIONS Typical Arrangement of Free Pleural Fluid Two main factors influence the distribution of free fluid in the pleural space. First, the pleural fluid accumulates in the…
Cytokines and the Pleura Cytokines are soluble peptides secreted by cells that affect the behavior of either the same or nearby cells through nonenzymatic means. Often they are glycopeptides and…
Physiological Effects of Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion In this chapter, the effects of pleural air or pleural fluid on pleural pressures, pulmonary function and gas exchange, the diaphragm, the heart,…
