Causes of Pleural Diseases
The causes of pleural disease depend upon what type of disease you have.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
CT scan showing giant compressive malignant fibrous tumor of the pleura
After taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination, your doctor may order any of the following: chest radiography (X-ray), computed tomography (CT scan), blood tests, etc.
For more information on these tests, visit our common diagnostic tests page.
Your treatment will vary depending on the type of pleural disease you have. If you require surgery, you will need to consult with a cardiothoracic surgeon to determine your treatment options.
Below are examples of treatment options for pleural diseases. Talk to your doctor about the treatment that is right for you.
A minimally invasive alternative to open chest surgery that involves less pain and recovery time. After you receive a sedative, your surgeon will make tiny incisions in your chest and then insert a fiber-optic camera called a thorascope. Images from the thorascope will give the surgeon important information that will help guide the appropriate treatment.
Using a needle or catheter that your surgeon inserts through your ribs in the back of your chest into your chest wall, the excess pleural fluid will be removed.
A procedure in which your surgeon will inject a chemical agent into your pleural space. The chemical will irritate the pleural layers and eliminate the chance for fluid buildup.