What is pleural effusion?
The pleural space around the lungs allows them to expand and is lined with a thin layer of tissue called the pleura. Pleural effusion is the build-up of extra fluid in the space that can put pressure on your lungs and make it difficult to breathe or cause a lung to collapse. It’s sometimes referred to as “water on the lungs.”
Symptoms
If you have pleural effusion, you may experience:
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Coughing
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Shortness of breath
You may feel relief from some symptoms when sitting upright or standing.
Pleural Effusion
Plural effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid between the moist, double-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs - called the pleura.
What causes pleural effusion?
The cause of pleural effusion will affect the type of fluid build-up around the lungs, which is either a watery or protein-rich fluid. Some common causes of pleural effusion include:
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Influenza
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Open heart surgery or chest trauma
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Pneumonia
Tests
Diagnosing pleural effusion is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures to evaluate your condition.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the condition causing your pleural effusion and the amount of fluid in the pleural space.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Ahmad Alkhatatneh, MD
Pulmonary Medicine
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Taylor Leigh Breen, MSPAS PA
Critical Care Medicine
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David Donald Casalino, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Riad Charafeddine, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
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Nicholas E Ghionni, DO
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Navid Reza Homayouni, MD
Nuclear Medicine
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Earn Chun Christabel Lee, MD
Radiology & Diagnostic Radiology
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Kelsey Mansley, MSPA PA
Pulmonary Medicine
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Aveek Mukherjee, MBBS MD
Pulmonary Medicine & Critical Care Medicine
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Anita Naik, DO
Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Medicine
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Alyson O'Dell Shaughnessy, MPAS PA
Critical Care Medicine
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Allison Boyd Sims, MHS PA
Critical Care Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery
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Jasvinder Singh, MD
Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Medicine
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Kimberlie Green Stickney, MPAS PA
Critical Care Medicine & Emergency Medicine
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Cheryl L. Walk, ACNP-BC MS
Hospital Medicine, Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Medicine
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Irene F Ibarra, MD
Pulmonary Medicine
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.