Pleural Diseases

Types of Pleural Diseases

Pleural diseases can be broadly classified according to the triggering disease process:

• Pneumothorax – Accumulation of air in the pleural space.
• Hemothorax – Accumulation of blood in the pleural space.
• Empyema/Parapneumonic effusion: Accumulation of pus/infected fluid in the pleural space.
• Pleural effusion – Any fluid accumulation in the pleural space due to systemic disease. Pleurisy – an inflammation of the pleura without much fluid formation/accumulation; this presents with sharp pains while breathing.