Pleural effusion

Etiology

Transudates

  • Congestive heart failure (most common)
  • Cirrhosis with ascites
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Peritoneal dialysis
  • Myxedema
  • Acute atelectasis
  • Constrictive pericarditis
  • Superior vena cava obstruction
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Urinothorax (due to obstructive uropathy)
Exudates
  • Pneumonia (parapneumonic effusion)
  • Cancer
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Empyema
  • Tuberculosis
  • Connective tissue disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Viral infection
  • Fungal infection
  • Rickettsial infection
  • Parasitic infection (eg, Paragonimus)
  • Asbestos
  • Meigs' syndrome
  • Pancreatic disease
  • Uremia
  • Chronic atelectasis
  • Trapped lung
  • Chylothorax
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Drug reaction
  • Post-myocardial infarction syndrome
  • Esophageal rupture

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.

Last updated: December 1, 2014