PLUERISY

Definition
Inflamation of the pleura is called pluerisy and it is also called pleuritis.
It is of two types :
1.Dry pleurisy
2. Wet pleurisy

Dry pleurisy :
In dry pleurisy, the pleural surfaces are inflammed without fluid in between them.

Both dry pleurisy and pleural effusion may develop at different stages of the same disease process.

 In this condition,the lession in the underlying lung spreads to the pleura.

 Trauma to the chest may also lead to pleurisy.
 The suggestive symptom is the catching pain felt accutely over the affected area by
inspiratory movements,brought about by deep breathing,coughing and sneezing.

Etiology of pleurisy in common :

 Pulmonary tuberculosis
 Pneumonia
 Lung abscess
 Bronchiectasis
 Pulmonary infarction
 Bronchiogenic carcinoma
 Complication due to surgery in thorax and abdomen
 Some drugs can cause lupus like syndrome eg.hydralazine etc.

Pathogenesis :

Due to infection/effusion/trauma

Inflammation of the pleura occurs

It initiate the sensory fibres

during respiration ,the pleural membrane rub together , the result is severe,sharp,knife like pain.

Symptoms :

 Pain in the chest, which is aggravated by breathing.

 Local tenderness

 A ‘stabbing sensation’.

Diagnosis

 chest x –ray

 Ultra sound

 CT
  Bloosd test

 ECG.

Other diagnostic techniques include :

 Thoracentesis

 pleuroscopy (or) thoracoscopy.

THORACENTESIS

• It is used as both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

• To remove fluid for lab analysis,this procedure is done under local anaesthesia between your
ribs to the area, where the fluid is seen in imaging studies

• Next to this ,a needle is inserted into the chestwall between ribs to remove fluid for
purposes.

Pleuroscopy (or) Thoracoscopy

If TB, or Cancer is suspected direct visualization into chest, to look for any abnormalities or to attain
a tissue sample for biopsy.

Treatment

• Usually treatment of pleurisy ,focus primarily on the underlying cause.

• For eg. If bacterial pneumonia is a cause ,an antibiotic will control the infection.

• If the cause is viral,pleurisy will resolve on its own.