Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers lining the lungs and chest wall.
When to get help quickly: Urgent review is more important if breathing becomes difficult, chest pain is severe, fever is present, or symptoms are worsening quickly.
Common symptoms
Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, cough, reduced exercise tolerance, or sometimes no symptoms if the fluid amount is small.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps confirm that fluid is present, show how much there is, and guide drainage when doctors need to test or relieve it.
What radiology does
Chest X-ray, ultrasound, and CT can help show the fluid, estimate how much is present, and guide drainage when needed.
What usually happens next
Treatment may involve removing the fluid and addressing the cause, such as heart failure, infection, cancer, or inflammation.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.