Management of pleural space: effusions and empyema

Neil A Christie

doi:10.1016/j.suc.2010.07.003

Management of pleural space: effusions and empyema

Surg Clin North Am. 2010 Oct;90(5):919-34. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2010.07.003.

Author

Neil A Christie¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 5200 Centre Avenue, Suite 715, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. christiena@upmc.edu

PMID: 20955875
DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2010.07.003

Abstract

Pleural effusions are commonly encountered in clinical medicine. They can represent both a diagnostic and a therapeutic challenge. This article discusses the diagnostic modalities used to evaluate the patient with a pleural effusion. Also discussed are the therapeutic options for the 2 most common causes of pleural effusions encountered by the surgeon: pleural sepsis and malignant pleural effusions.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Empyema, Pleural* / diagnosis
Empyema, Pleural* / therapy
Humans
Lung Abscess / complications
Pleural Effusion* / diagnosis
Pleural Effusion* / etiology
Pleural Effusion* / therapy
Pleural Effusion, Malignant / diagnosis
Pleural Effusion, Malignant / therapy
Pneumonia / complications