Question 1

what does bilateral pleural thickening mean?

Accepted Answer

See below: Pleura is the lining of the lung. It usually is extremely thin. Occasionally, especially after an infection, it may appear thickened on an xray. Bilateral means on both lungs.

Question 2

i  had a report saying that i have a minimal bilateral basal pleural effusion of uncertain clinical significance.  what does it mean?

Accepted Answer

Pleural Effusion: It is collection of fluid in the in the pleura (lining around the lungs). 
Multiple causes: infection, tumor, systemic disease, heart failure, ... etc.
Depending on your age and your past medical history, investigations are carried out to find the cause of it.
If no cause is found, it is usually followed up for progression.

Question 3

bilateral pneumonia complicated by pleural effusion-- can this be fatal?

Accepted Answer

Probably not...: This condition is typically treated with antibiotcs and drainage of the effusion with a chest tube if it is large enough. Generally it is not fatal; however, if severe enough & not responsive to treatment, this can be very serious.

Question 4

1.my xray reading is stable residual changes both upper lubes 2. pleural thickening bilateral. i suffer for tb and medicated for 6months ?

Accepted Answer

Keep up Medication: The x ray reading is consistent with Pulmonary TB which is "not changing="stable) on Medication. Keep up the medication until your Health Care Provider tells you to stop!
Hope this Helps
Dr Z

Question 5

i understand that a "patchy consolidation" can be indicative of pneumonia.  but could someone have a patchy consolidation if he also had,for instance, copd & bilateral pleural effusions?

Accepted Answer

Yes  it can be: Some one with COPD and bilateral effusion can also have Patchy Consolidation.It may be due to a co existing Pneumonia or it may be due to pulmonary edema(fluid in the lungs) or Atelectasis(Collapse of Lung)That is why we always say to medical students and residents,that we never treat the xray findings.But first History/Physical and xray in the context of Patients clinical presentation

Question 6

a week ago i had bilateral transudative pleural effusions. is it normal for my 02 sats to be dropping to the mid 80s and feeling sob when i walk?

Accepted Answer

Get help now: If your o2 sats are dropping to the mid 80s while walking, you should go to the emergency department. You need urgent medical attention.  Don't drive yourself because you could lose consciousness while driving. Have someone drive you or call a cab/911.

Question 7

i have pleurodiaphragmatic adhesions on the left. both of my costophrenic sulci are shallow and there is tenting on the left of my hemidiaphragm. i also have bilateral pleural thickening for a year now. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

: Have you ever had pleurisy or bronchopneumonia associated with pleurisy or tuberculosis? These adhesions are strands of fibrosis formed from prior inflammation of lungs &amp; pleural lining of the chest cavity.  I assume that tenting of the hemidiaphragm is a residual of the same prior inflammatory process.  Consulting a pulmonologist would be worthwhile and would give you more information about this.

Question 8

56/m(ex-smoker)-bilateral apical pleural thickening.i have never directly worked with asbestos but have lived under asbestos roof for a brief period?

Accepted Answer

Relax: Many ex-smokers have these little caps on their lungs and they don't mean a thing. Glad you quit.

Question 9

what does a small bilateral pleural effusions with associated atelectasis mean when there is no pneumothorax. my grandmom is in the hospital, shes 79 & im trying to understand her medical chart?

Accepted Answer

: The pneumothorax does not cause pleural effusion. The effusion has multiple causes at this age which could be most likely heart failure. If not cancer. 
Best thing is to have his doctor sit with you and go over the causes

Question 10

bilateral pleural effusions and some ascites that was not there previously following a percutaneous liver bx.  what exactly would be the cause?

Accepted Answer

Some malignancy: Not many lesions of the thoracic cage such as lung produce bilateral pleural effusion, some ascites and a metastatic focus in  the liver.  The most common abdominal lesion to behave in this fashion is ovarian Ca with metastasis.  If you are not aware of a primary, liver bx and PET/CAT should resolve the issue so that proper treatment can be initiated.

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Doctor answers about:

Bilateral pleural efusion

A member asked:

What does bilateral pleural thickening mean?

A member asked:

I had a report saying that i have a minimal bilateral basal pleural effusion of uncertain clinical significance. what does it mean?

A member asked:

Bilateral pneumonia complicated by pleural effusion-- can this be fatal?

A member asked:

1.my xray reading is stable residual changes both upper lubes 2. pleural thickening bilateral. i suffer for tb and medicated for 6months ?

A member asked:

I understand that a "patchy consolidation" can be indicative of pneumonia. but could someone have a patchy consolidation if he also had,for instance, copd & bilateral pleural effusions?

A member asked:

A week ago i had bilateral transudative pleural effusions. is it normal for my 02 sats to be dropping to the mid 80s and feeling sob when i walk?

A member asked:

I have pleurodiaphragmatic adhesions on the left. both of my costophrenic sulci are shallow and there is tenting on the left of my hemidiaphragm. i also have bilateral pleural thickening for a year now. what should i do?

A member asked:

56/m(ex-smoker)-bilateral apical pleural thickening.i have never directly worked with asbestos but have lived under asbestos roof for a brief period?

A member asked:

What does a small bilateral pleural effusions with associated atelectasis mean when there is no pneumothorax. my grandmom is in the hospital, shes 79 & im trying to understand her medical chart?

A member asked:

Bilateral pleural effusions and some ascites that was not there previously following a percutaneous liver bx. what exactly would be the cause?

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