pleuraeritteissä

Pleuraalinen effuusio, commonly referred to as pleuraeritteissä in Finnish, is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space, the thin space between the layers of pleura that line the lungs and the chest cavity. This space normally contains a small amount of lubricating fluid to allow the lungs to move smoothly during breathing. When this fluid builds up, it can put pressure on the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

Pleural effusions can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions. Transudative effusions are typically due to systemic issues that disrupt the balance of fluid production and absorption, such as heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or kidney disease. Exudative effusions are usually caused by local inflammation or damage to the pleura, including pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, tuberculosis, or autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of pleural effusion can vary depending on the amount of fluid and the underlying cause. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing, and a dry cough. In some cases, there may be no noticeable symptoms.

Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, imaging studies like chest X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds, and often thoracentesis, a procedure where a needle is inserted into the pleural space to withdraw fluid for analysis. The treatment for pleural effusion depends on the underlying cause and the amount of fluid. It may involve treating the underlying condition, removing the excess fluid through thoracentesis, or inserting a chest tube for continuous drainage.