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Pleural Diseases

The pleura (ploor´-uh) is the membrane that lines your chest (thoracic) cavity and covers your lungs. The layers of your pleura contain a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant as you breathe in and out. The space between the layers is called the pleural cavity.

Pleural effusion, which is excess fluid in the pleural cavity, is one of the most common problems seen by primary care physicians.

Some estimates report an incidence of one million cases of pleural effusion in the United States each year.

CAUSES OF PLEURAL DISEASES

Pleural effusion is excess fluid in the pleural cavity. The most common cause is congestive heart failure. Other causes include lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, liver disease, pulmonary embolism, lupus, and reaction to certain medications.

Pleurisy is pain associated with inflammation of the pleural cavity. The most common cause is a viral infection, such as influenza. Other causes include bacterial and fungal infections, lung cancer, other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and mesothelioma, and reaction to certain medications.

Pneumothorax is a buildup of air or gas in the pleural cavity around the lung that causes the lung to collapse. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, and trauma are the most common causes.

Pleural tumors are cancerous tissues in the pleural cavity. Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Other times, pleural tumors are cancers that have spread from other areas of the body.

Hemothorax is a buildup of blood in the pleural cavity. Chest trauma is the most common cause, but lung and pleural cancer and chest or heart surgery can also cause a hemothorax.

Symptoms of pleural disease also depend upon what type of disease you have.

Pleural effusion generally causes no symptoms and, by itself, is not serious.
Symptoms of pleurisy may include a sharp pain when breathing, shortness of breath, a cough, fever and chills, rapid breathing, unexplained weight loss, and sore throat followed by joint swelling and soreness.
Pneumothorax can cause a sharp pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply, chest tightness, fatigue, a fast heart rate, and a bluish skin color (cyanosis).
Symptoms of hemothorax may include chest pain, shortness of breath, respiratory failure, a fast heart rate, anxiety, and restlessness.
Pleural tumors are cancerous tissues in the pleural cavity and may cause shortness of breath, chest pain, general discomfort, cough, and unexplained weight loss.