Treatment option of Pleural effusion

Massive pleural effusions may lead to difficulty breathing or other breathing problems such as low blood oxygen levels. Thoracentesis can be performed to remove the pleural fluid. In case of excessive pleural fluid, a chest tube can be inserted to remove it.

It is important to find out and treat the primary cause of pleural effusions. This will prevent the relapse of effusion.

• Empyema caused by an infection can be treated with antibiotics and a chest tube.
• Pleural effusion caused by cancers can be treated with chemotherapy.