CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Pleural effusion
WATER ON THE LUNGS
Fluid that collects between the sheets of tissue that cover the outside of your lung and the lining of your chest cavity
About
The pleura is a membrane that covers your lungs. It consists of two layers and produces fluid that helps your lungs to move when you breathe. If cancer cells spread to the pleura then fluid can build up and press on your lungs, causing shortness of breath (dyspnoea). The fluid can be removed on a regular basis but, over time, this can be difficult.
Need to know
Symptoms of pleural effusion may include: - Shortness of breath - Chest pain - Coughing
Your consultant will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. If they suspect pleural effusion they may request a chest x-ray or ultrasound scan to confirm diagnosis.
Treatment options include: - Draining the fluid from your lungs by putting a tube into your chest via a small incision. You may need to spend a couple of days in hospital recovering from this procedure. - If it happens again you may need to have the procedure repeated or have the drain left in place permanently - A thoracoscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure that allows your consultant access to the pleural space using a flexible tube with a camera (thoracoscope) and medical instruments.
Our Pleural effusion locations
Lung Nodule Clinic
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Physicians' Clinic
14 Devonshire Street W1G 7AE London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.