Respiratory · Flowchart

Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion from mechanism to drainage: transudates from heart failure, cirrhosis and nephrotic syndrome versus exudates from pneumonia, cancer, TB and PE, examination and imaging, when to tap, Light's criteria, fluid clues such as low pH, glucose, amylase, ADA and triglycerides, and chest tubes, fibrinolytics and pleurodesis.