How Should One Manage Increasing Right Sided Pleural Effusion?

Posted on Sun, 22 Jul 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 22 Jul 2018 Answered on

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : I just had a chest xray and the report said the cardiomediastinal silhouette and pulmonary vasculature are within normal limits. Report also said right basilar opacity has increased in density consistent with increasing pleural effusion. the lungs are clear. there is no pneumothorax. I just finished chemo 2 weeks ago, had a hysterectimy, 1 ovary malignat. Feeling good except for shortness of breadth and fatigue. Have had the fluid drained 2 times. Not entirely sure what my doctor wants to do next. hOPEFULLY, THIS WILL GO AWAY.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your right sided pleural effusion is increasing.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have gone through the X-ray report. This report clearly mentioned that right sided pleural effusion is more as compare to previous X-ray. So your right pleural effusion is worsening.

You also underwent pleural fluid aspiration twice still fluid is more at present. This suggest two main possibilities.
1. Malignant pleural effusion
2. Infective pleural effusion

May I know reports of fluid done in the past? Also let me know if you had CT scan of thorax done in the past. If it is malignant pleural effusion then pleurodesis should be done. If it is infective pleural effusion then antibiotics should be started.

Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng