Fluid around the lungs, also known as pleural effusion, is a condition where excess fluid builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall. This can happen for many different reasons, including:
- Congestive heart failure: This is one of the most common reasons pleural effusion develops.
- Liver or kidney disease: Fluid can build up in the body and leak into the pleural space.
- Cancer: Cancer cells can cause the body to make too much pleural fluid, and they can also block or change the flow of lymph fluid in the pleural cavity.
- Infections: Illnesses such as pneumonia or tuberculosis can lead to pleural effusion.
- Autoimmune conditions: Diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause pleural effusion.
- Pulmonary embolism: This is a blockage in an artery in one of your lungs, and it can lead to pleural effusion.
The symptoms of pleural effusion can range from none to shortness of breath to coughing, among others. The greater the build-up of fluid, the more likely symptoms will be noticeable. In addition to excess fluid, the tissue around the lung may become inflamed, which can cause chest pain. In extreme cases, a person can have up to four liters of excess fluid in the chest, which can be very uncomfortable.
A physician will usually diagnose pleural effusion based on interviewing the patient about symptoms and a physical examination. To confirm a diagnosis, he or she may also request an imaging test, which could be a chest X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan. To further determine the cause of the pleural effusion, the fluid may be removed and tested.
