What causes pleural effusion and pericardial effusion?
Pleural Effusion Services Pericardial effusion affects the functioning of the heart and can lead to heart failure. Effusions can be caused by inflammation or infection. They are a common complication of cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, as well as pulmonary conditions like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
What is the difference between pleural effusion and pericardial effusion?
A: Pericardial effusion is the term for a buildup of fluid around the heart. Pleural effusion is the term for a buildup of fluid around the lungs, or, more accurately, in the space between the lungs and the chest cavity.
What is pericardial and peritoneal fluid?
The pericardial cavity found around the heart contains the fluid, and aspiration is called pericardiocentesis. Peritoneal or ascitic fluid is found in the abdomen. This is the effusion and accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity. Its aspiration is called paracentesis.
Is peritoneal fluid the same as pleural fluid?
In pleural effusions and ascites, excess fluid that can no longer be removed accumulates inside the body. In a pleural effusion, the fluid accumulates in the space between the lungs and ribs; in ascites it accumulates inside the peritoneal cavity.
What is a pericardium?
The pericardium is a membrane, or sac, that surrounds your heart. It holds the heart in place and helps it work properly. Problems with the pericardium include: Pericarditis – an inflammation of the sac.
What type of fluid is in the pericardium?
Pericardial fluid is the serous fluid secreted by the serous layer of the pericardium into the pericardial cavity. The pericardium consists of two layers, an outer fibrous layer and the inner serous layer.
What is the function of peritoneal fluid?
Peritoneal fluid is an ultrafiltrate of plasma, which serves as a lubricant around abdominal organs and allows the diffusion of electrolytes and other substances to and from the serosal surfaces of the abdominal cavity.
Are biochemical tests useful for the investigation of pericardial effusions?
This article summarized data from the most relevant literature concerning practice with special emphasis on usefulness of biochemical tests used for the investigation of pleural, peritoneal and pericardial effusions.
How are pleural effusions evaluated in the workup of perianal effusion?
Patient history and physical examination are crucial for the clinical evaluation of pleural effusions. They are followed by confirmation of pleural effusion presence using radiological or/and ultrasound studies or computed tomography (CT) chest scans.
What causes fluid in the peritoneal cavity?
Peritoneal effusions (or ascites) represent the pathological collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Common causes include liver cirrhosis, malignancy, congestive heart failure, tuberculosis, nephrotic syndrome, pancreatic disease and dialysis (6).
What does it mean when you have a pleural effusion?
Pleural effusions may indicate the presence of pleural, pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease. In some cases, the aetiology of the effusion is obvious from the clinical picture (e.g. bilateral pleural effusions in congestive cardiac failure) [3]. In other cases, the cause and clinical significance is not apparent.