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The pleura is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity. Any disease or condition that affects the pleura is known as a pleural disease. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common pleural diseases, their causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
Causes of Pleural Diseases
Pleural diseases can have various causes including infections, inflammation, cancer, injury or metabolic disorders. Some of the common causes are:
Pneumonia: Bacterial or viral infections in the lungs can spread to the surrounding pleura, causing pleurisy or pleural effusion. Common infectious agents include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, viruses like influenza.
Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is one of the most common causes of pleural effusion worldwide. The tuberculosis bacteriaMycobacterium tuberculosis spreads from the lungs to the pleura.
Cancer: Lung cancer, breast cancer or lymphomas can spread to the pleura through the lymphatic system or direct extension. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that originates from the pleura itself.
Blood Clots: Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot breaks away from its original site and lodges in the pulmonary arteries of the lungs. This can cause pleural irritation.
Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus can cause inflammation of the pleura.
Kidney failure: Accumulation of fluid in the body due to renal failure can transmit to the pleura, causing pleural effusion.
Injuries: Traumatic injuries to the chest like rib fractures can puncture the pleura. Blunt chest trauma can also induce an inflammatory response in the pleura.
Common Symptoms
The symptoms of pleural diseases vary depending on the underlying cause but some common signs include:
– Chest pain: A sharp, stabbing pain while breathing deeply or coughing is very common. The pain increases on inspiration.
– Shortness of breath: Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space compresses the lungs and makes breathing difficult.
– Dry cough: An inflammatory response in the pleura causes irritation in the lungs.
– Fever: Infective etiologies like pneumonia trigger a rise in body temperature.
– Fatigue: Breathing issues and systemic diseases drain the body’s energy levels.
Diagnosis and Investigations
A thorough physical examination and assessment of symptoms provides initial cues to the doctor. Key diagnostic tests include:
– Chest X-ray: Useful to detect pleural effusions, thickening, tumors or infiltrates.
– CT scan: A more detailed scan can identify subtle signs and the extent of diseases.
– Thoracentesis: Withdrawing and testing pleural fluid through a needle inserted between the ribs reveals infections, cancers, etc.
– Biopsy: Examining a sample of pleural tissue under a microscope is required to diagnose some conditions like mesothelioma.
– Blood tests: Help identify infectious, inflammatory or autoimmune disorders.
– Pulmonary function tests: Measure how well lungs work.
Management and Treatment
The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause of pleural disease:
– Antibiotics: For infective pleural diseases, a course of antibiotics is prescribed to eliminate the pathogen.
– Draining fluid: Accumulated fluid in the pleural space is drained regularly through thoracentesis to relieve breathing difficulties.
– Pleurodesis: A chemical agent is introduced into the pleural space to induce inflammation and stick the pleura together to prevent re-accumulation of fluid.
– Surgery: Small pleural effusions may need tube drainage. Large effusions or recurrent cases may need more extensive surgical procedures like pleurectomy.
– Radiotherapy and chemotherapy: Used to treat pleural metastases and mesothelioma.
– Supportive care: Oxygen therapy, pain medications, chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises and fluid restrictions help manage symptoms.
Prognosis
If diagnosed early and managed promptly, pleural diseases often have a good prognosis. But the outcomes depend on factors like the underlying cause, the stage or extent of involvement, individual risk factors and timeliness of treatment. Regular monitoring helps detect any relapse or progression at an early stage. With multidisciplinary care, many patients can enjoy long survival periods and good quality of life even after major pleural diseases.
In conclusion, pleural diseases are fairly common conditions affecting the protective membranes of the lungs. Understanding the underlying causes, recognizing symptoms, prompt diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies are key to dealing with pleural diseases effectively. Overall management requires a multidisciplinary team approach for optimized outcomes. With advances in therapeutics, the prognosis for many pleural conditions continues to improve.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
