What is the true pleural discharge?
Pleural discharge is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural cavity that surrounds the lungs. Normally the pleura contains a thin layer of liquid to keep the lungs smoothly during breathing. When there is excess fluid, it worsens breathing. The right pleural effusion occurs on the right side of the pleura. The right pleural discharge is more often associated with congestive heart failure than the left pleural effusion. The levels of fluids in the right and left pleural cavities are often different, known as an asymmetric effusion. The outflow can also be insulated on one of the cavities, known as a one -sided effusion. The real pleural effusion is primarily associated with congestive heart failure (CHF). The reported symptoms include difficult or painful breathing, as well as the reduced movement of the thoracic wall during breathing. There will also be less resonance when the chest and back are, or tapped. Breathing sounds can be boring when examining a stethoscope and there may also be unusual sounds such as cracking or friction, due to friction formed excessliquid. If these symptoms are suspected, X -ray or ultrasound will usually be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
As soon as the right pleural effusion or left pleural discharge is diagnosed, the liquid will be removed with a large needle placed in the back or chest, which is a process known as a toraracentesis. The fluid will then be analyzed for the determination of the fluid components and if the fluid is transudate or exudate. Transudate fluid denotes a systemic origin in which part of the body, usually the heart, liver or kidney, creates an overall imbalance of the body fluid. The exudate fluid suggests that there is a problem around or in lungs such as bacterial or viral infection, embolism or cancer, and other tests are performed to obtain a specific diagnosis. There are other types of causes that are not classified, such as autoimmune diseases and surgically induced discharge, but they are not so common.
Treatment of any type of pleural discharge is usually based on the basic cause that must be treated to solve the overall problem. To reduce the amount of fluid in the pleura, the needle will be used to pump excess fluid. In terms of multiple fluids, a drain tube can be used or surgery may be performed. Other treatments include the use of chemicals to treat infection and surgical joining the pleural cavity to stop the accumulation of fluid.