Emergent Management of Pleural Effusion 

A pleural effusion is an abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural space resulting from excess fluid production or decreased absorption.^[1] It is the most common manifestation of pleural disease. The pleural space is bordered by the parietal and visceral pleurae. The parietal pleura covers the inner surface of the thoracic cavity, including the mediastinum, diaphragm, and ribs. The visceral pleura envelops all lung surfaces, including the interlobar fissures. The right and left pleural spaces are separated by the mediastinum.

The pleural space plays an important role in respiration by coupling the movement of the chest wall with that of the lungs in two ways. First, a relative vacuum in the space keeps the visceral and parietal pleurae in close proximity.

Second, the small volume of pleural fluid, which has been calculated at 0.13 mL/kg of body weight under normal circumstances, serves as a lubricant to facilitate movement of the pleural surfaces against each other in the course of respirations.^[2] This small volume of fluid is maintained through the balance of hydrostatic and oncotic pressure and lymphatic drainage, a disturbance of which may lead to pathology. (See the images below.)^[3]

Precautions

Strict precautions are required in the handling of needles and bodily fluids, including pleural fluid. Reports exist of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission from needles contaminated with pleural fluid.

Laboratory evaluation of patients with a pleural effusion is directed at first determining if the effusion is an exudate or a transudate. As a consequence, with few exceptions, patients who present with a new pleural effusion should undergo a diagnostic thoracentesis. Subsequent testing is aimed at further identifying the underlying etiology or grading the severity of disease. Depending on the clinical setting, this evaluation may be completed in the emergency department (ED) or initiated in the ED and completed in an inpatient service.

The distinction between transudate and exudate is generally made by measurement of serum and pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and protein concentrations.

Exudates have a higher protein concentration due to increased capillary permeability or decreased lymphatic drainage. As a result, the pleural effusion generally is an exudate if the pleural fluid–to-serum total protein ratio is greater than 0.50, the pleural fluid LDH is greater than 0.67 of the upper limits of normal serum LDH, or if the pleural fluid–to-serum LDH ratio greater than 0.6 (Light's criteria). Pleural fluid cholesterol also tends to be higher in exudates than in transudates.

The pleural effusion is generally a transudate if both the pleural fluid–to-serum total protein ratio and the pleural fluid–to-serum LDH ratio are less than or equal to 0.50 and less than 0.67, respectively.

These criteria may not accurately identify transudates caused by congestive heart failure or renal failure, especially in patients taking diuretics.

Exudative effusions require further laboratory investigation. The pleural fluid should be

analyzed for the following:

• Cell count with differential
• Glucose level
• Amylase level
• pH - Pleural fluid acidosis, defined as a pH less than 7.30, is seen in a limited number of conditions including empyema; rheumatoid, tuberculous, or lupus pleuritis; malignancy; urinothorax; or esophageal rupture^[4]
• Cytologic analysis - Especially if malignancy or Pneumocystis carinii is suspected
• In the appropriate clinical setting, Gram staining, acid-fast bacilli staining, fungal (KOH) staining, and culture and sensitivity for aerobic and anaerobic organisms and fungi

Additional studies should be requested on the basis of the gross appearance of the pleural fluid or when a specific condition is suspected.

After the initial stabilization of the patient, clinical suspicion for pleural effusion should be confirmed with appropriate radiographic evaluation. The most frequently ordered studies are chest radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) scanning. Chest radiography is the primary diagnostic tool because of its availability, accuracy, and low cost. It may confirm the presence of effusion and suggest the underlying etiology.^[5]

Pleural fluid typically collects in the most dependent portion of the pleural space on an upright chest radiograph, primarily the posterior costophrenic recess, followed by the lateral recess. As little as 50 mL of fluid will cause blunting of the posterior costophrenic recess on a lateral upright film, whereas 200 mL are required to cause blunting of the lateral recess on a posteroanterior (PA) film. (See the images below.)

A lateral decubitus chest radiograph may detect as little as 5 mL of fluid.^[6] Additional findings suggestive of pleural effusion include homogenous opacification or diffuse haziness with a ground-glass appearance, visibility of pulmonary vessels through the haziness, and an absence of air bronchograms.

A massive effusion is often attributable to an underlying malignancy. Other conditions that must be considered include the following:

• Congestive heart failure
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Cirrhosis with ascites
• Transdiaphragmatic rupture of a liver abscess into the pleural space (>90% right-sided)
• Paragonimiasis (usually unilateral)
• Peritoneal dialysis (90% right sided)
• Cryptococcosis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Meigs syndrome
• Uremic pleuritis
• Yellow nail syndrome
• Effects of medications

Massive effusions usually have an accompanying mediastinal shift to the contralateral side. In the absence of mediastinal shift, the differential diagnosis is narrowed to carcinoma of the ipsilateral mainstem bronchus with or without ipsilateral lung atelectasis, fixed mediastinum caused by fibrosis or tumor infiltration of the mediastinal lymph nodes, tumor infiltration of the ipsilateral lung, malignant mesothelioma, or complete atelectasis of the ipsilateral lung.

Bilateral effusions with an enlarged cardiac silhouette are most likely due to congestive heart failure. In the absence of cardiomegaly, malignancy (either lymphoma or carcinoma, with the exception of breast and lung cancer) is the most common cause. Other possible etiologies include the following:

• Lupus pleuritis
• Rheumatoid pleurisy
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Cirrhosis with ascites
• Pulmonary embolism
• TB
• Esophageal rupture
• Benign asbestos pleural effusion
• Meigs syndrome
• Uremic pleuritis
• Yellow nail syndrome
• Medication-associated effusion

The location of the pleural effusion can help in the differential diagnosis. Isolated, right-sided pleural effusions commonly occur with the following:

• Cirrhosis
• Peritoneal dialysis
• Subphrenic or intrahepatic abscess
• Amebic liver abscess
• Echinococcal infection
• Liver transplantation
• Meigs syndrome
• Catamenial hemothorax (thoracic endometriosis)

Isolated left-sided effusions occur with the following:

• Esophageal rupture
• Pancreatic disease
• Subphrenic or splenic abscess
• Splenic infarction
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Pericardial disease
• Following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Chest radiography may yield other findings, such as pleural thickening or plaques, pulmonary parenchymal changes, or mediastinal enlargement, of value in determining the underlying disease process.

When an air-fluid level is present in the pleural space, the following must be considered:

• Bronchopleural fistula
• Pneumothorax
• Trauma
• Presence of gas-forming organisms
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Fluid-filled bullae or lung cysts
• Rupture of the esophagus into the pleural space

Diaphragmatic hernias can be excluded or confirmed with the administration of GI contrast material.

Ultrasonography of the chest may be rapidly performed by emergency physicians at the bedside to evaluate patients with suspected pleural effusion.^[7] Ultrasonography detects as little as 5-50 mL of pleural fluid and has a 100% sensitivity for effusions greater than 100 mL. It can identify loculated fluid collections, and it may detect pleura- or chest wall ̶ based tumors. Ultrasonography can also be used to guide needle insertion for thoracentesis or chest tube placement.^[8]

CT scanning

A spiral chest CT scan should be obtained for most patients with pleural effusion when the condition’s etiology cannot be readily determined. Scanning permits imaging of the entire pleural space, pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature, mediastinum, and pericardium. Abdominal slices may also be obtained if an intra-abdominal etiology for the effusion is suspected.

Chest CT scanning can help in distinguishing benign from malignant pleural involvement. One or more of the following suggests malignancy: circumferential pleural thickening, nodular pleural thickening, parietal pleural thickening (>1 cm), and mediastinal pleural involvement. CT scans are highly sensitive for discrete pleural plaques, but they are rarely helpful in differentiating transudates from exudates and chylous pleural effusions.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used in evaluating patients with pleural effusion. However, its use is rarely part of the ED workup. MRI may be helpful in distinguishing benign from malignant pleural disease. In addition, it complements CT scanning in evaluating patients with mesothelioma.^[9]

Echocardiography

Echocardiography may be performed to further assess patients with pleural effusion related to congestive heart failure or if pericardial effusion is suspected.

Additional diagnostic testing is guided by the suspected etiology of the effusion and the patient's clinical status.

Esophageal perforation is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. When this condition is suspected, contrast-enhanced studies of the esophagus should be performed (and surgical consultation should be obtained early in the patient's evaluation).

In many EDs, helical chest CT scanning has replaced ventilation-perfusion (V-Q) scanning in the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. However, V-Q scans still have a role in some settings, including when a patient is not a candidate for a CT scan.

After the presence of a pleural effusion is established, the cause should be identified. Diagnostic procedures include percutaneous pleural biopsy, bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, and open pleural biopsy. However, thoracentesis and chest tube placement usually suffice for evaluation or treatment in the ED.

Thoracentesis, which involves the removal of 50-100 mL for laboratory analysis, is the first-line invasive diagnostic procedure and can be safely performed in most patients, including those undergoing mechanical ventilation. Thoracentesis can also be used as a therapeutic modality.

Although most patients with a new pleural effusion should undergo diagnostic thoracentesis, exceptions include clinically stable, afebrile patients when the diagnosis, such as congestive heart failure (CHF), recent thoracic surgery, or known renal or hepatic disease, is clear. In these cases, treatment of the underlying etiology may be appropriate. If the effusion does not improve, delayed thoracentesis can be performed.

The most common complications of thoracentesis are pneumothorax, cough, and infection. Less common complications include hemothorax, splenic rupture, intra-abdominal hemorrhage, unilateral pulmonary edema, air embolism, and shearing off of a catheter fragment within the pleural space.

A chest radiograph is frequently obtained following thoracentesis to assess for pneumothorax. However, this may not be necessary when the procedure has involved only a single pass, the patient has no risk of pleural adhesions, and he or she remains asymptomatic.^[10]

For massive effusions with a midline mediastinum or ipsilateral mediastinal shift, consultation with a pulmonologist is indicated prior to any intervention. In such patients, bronchoscopy, rather than thoracentesis, is generally the initial diagnostic procedure of choice.

Most commonly, a pleural effusion is an incidental finding in a stable patient. Prehospital interventions are generally limited to patients who are in respiratory distress or are hemodynamically unstable.

As with any other life-threatening condition, initial management is directed at ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Oxygen should be administered to all unstable patients. After airway stabilization, the patient's circulatory status should be assessed and supported as indicated.

On the basis of presentation in the ED, patients with pleural effusions may be (1) stable and require hospital admission, (2) stable and not require hospital admission, or (3) unstable. Generally, any patient who requires thoracentesis in the ED should be admitted to the hospital.

Stable patients who do not require admission include those in whom the clinical circumstances clearly explain the effusion and/or prior investigations of the cause were performed, effusions are typical of their disease and are asymptomatic, and diagnostic or therapeutic thoracentesis is not required.

In such patients, thoracentesis is not indicated emergently and can be deferred. Therapy for the specific cause of the effusion, if indicated, should be initiated. If the patient does not improve after a few days, diagnostic thoracentesis should be performed. This assumes that the patient is reliable, has a stable social situation, and has a physician with whom to follow-up.

Stable patients requiring admission include those with no prior history of pleural effusion, patients with parapneumonic effusions who do not appear to be septic, and patients with a prior history of pleural effusion whose condition has deteriorated.

Although these patients are not in acute respiratory distress, diagnostic thoracentesis is warranted. This need not be performed in the ED if it can be performed promptly by the accepting inpatient service. When the cause of the pleural effusion is obvious, appropriate medical therapy should be initiated in the ED.

For suspected parapneumonic effusions, appropriate antibiotics should be administered in the ED, including coverage for anaerobic organisms.

Simple parapneumonic effusions have the potential to become complicated effusions or empyemas. Antimicrobial therapy alone is not sufficient for complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyemas. In these cases, prompt tube thoracostomy and antibiotics are required.

Unstable patients include those in septic shock or respiratory distress or with hemodynamic compromise due to the effusion. The initial treatment focus should be on stabilizing the airway and circulation. Patients with dyspnea or severe respiratory distress should be placed on the gurney in an upright position, as this will increase tidal volume and decrease the work of breathing and may improve symptoms of congestive heart failure and/or pulmonary edema.

Life-threatening traumatic or medical conditions (eg, tension hydropneumothorax, massive effusion with contralateral mediastinal shift, pulmonary embolism, esophageal perforation, traumatic rupture of the thoracic duct, strangulated diaphragmatic hernia) must be ruled out. These patients require immediate diagnostic and therapeutic thoracentesis.

Tube thoracostomy

Tube thoracostomy is indicated for the initial management of empyema, diagnosed by the presence of pus on thoracentesis, a positive Gram stain, fluid glucose of less than 60 mg/dL, a pH of less than 7.20, or an elevated LDH level.^[11] Tube thoracostomy should also be performed on patients with hemothorax or pneumothorax.

The chest tube tip should be directed posteroinferiorly to drain blood or pus and superiorly in the setting of pneumothorax. Other conditions, such as complicated parapneumonic effusion, chylothorax, or malignant pleural effusion, may require chest tube placement for definitive treatment. However, this decision should be made in collaboration with the admitting service.

Placement of a chest tube in the setting of a malignant tumor that obstructs a mainstem or lobar bronchus is contraindicated, because the obstruction prevents expansion of the lung underlying the effusion.

The patient condition and the cause of effusion dictate whether admission to a regular floor or the intensive care unit (ICU) is required. Consultation with pulmonary specialists or surgeons may facilitate level-of-care issues.

Repeated pleural aspiration for symptomatic relief is appropriate for patients with malignant pleural effusion whose life expectancy is expected to be less than 1 month.^[12] For other patients, definitive treatment may include serial thoracenteses, placement of a small-caliber chest tube for continuous drainage, instillation of fibrinolytic agents, chemical pleurodesis, pleuroperitoneal shunt placement, intrapleural administration of talc during thoracoscopy, systemic chemotherapy, or mediastinal radiation.

Depending on the patient's clinical condition and local consultation practices, the primary care provider, a pulmonologist, or, if indicated, a medical or surgical intensivist or general surgeon, may be consulted.

Follow-up with the patient's primary care physician or a pulmonary specialist within 2-3 days of treatment is advisable, especially if thoracentesis is deferred. If early follow-up seems unlikely, the patient should be given clear instructions to return to the ED in 2-3 days for reevaluation.

Outpatient medication therapy is directed at the underlying etiology of the effusion. A social services professional should be consulted when a patient cannot afford prescribed medications.

Transfer

If the usual criteria for stability are satisfied, patients may be transferred to another facility for definitive care. If thoracentesis is performed, a follow-up chest radiograph should be obtained to rule out pneumothorax before transferring the patient.

In the case of iatrogenic pneumothorax, a chest tube should be placed prior to transfer. Stable patients may be transferred by ground with proper personnel and chest tube in place.