lung and airway disorders
Pleural Effusion
Types of fluid
Depending on the cause, the fluid may be either Rich in protein (exudate) Watery (transudate) Doctors use this distinction to help determine the cause. For example, Heart Failure (HF) and (hemothorax) usually results from a chest injury. Rarely, a blood vessel ruptures into the pleural space when no injury has occurred, or a bulging area in the aorta ( Overview of Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissection ) leaks blood into the pleural space. Pus in the pleural space(empyema) can accumulate when pneumonia or a lung abscess spreads into the space. Empyema may also complicate an infection due to chest wounds, chest surgery, rupture of the esophagus, or an abscess in the abdomen. Lymphatic (milky) fluid in the pleural space(chylothorax) is caused by an injury to the main lymphatic duct in the chest (thoracic duct) or by a blockage of the duct by a tumor. 