Pleural Fluid Analysis
Pleural fluid analysis examines abnormal fluid buildup in the pleural space to determine the underlying cause of a pleural effusion.
What is a pleural fluid analysis?
The pleura is a thin tissue covering the lungs and lining the chest wall. Normally, a small amount of pleural fluid exists between these layers to allow smooth movement during breathing. When too much fluid accumulates, it is called a pleural effusion. This analysis helps identify the cause of the buildup to prevent complications like a collapsed lung.
Why do I need a pleural fluid analysis?
You may need this test if imaging (like an X-ray or MRI) shows fluid buildup and you experience symptoms such as:
- Unexplained chest pain.
- Dry cough.
- Trouble breathing.
- Fatigue.
What happens during the procedure?
The fluid is removed via thoracentesis:
- The area on your back is cleaned and numbed with an injection.
- A needle is inserted between your ribs into the pleural space, sometimes guided by ultrasound.
- You may feel pressure as fluid is removed.
- A bandage is applied afterward, and a follow-up chest X-ray may be performed.
What do the results mean?
Results are categorized using Light's criteria to determine the type of fluid:
- Transudate: Watery fluid with low protein, often caused by heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease (including cirrhosis).
- Exudate: Cloudy fluid with high protein, often caused by inflammation, infection (pneumonia or tuberculosis), cancer (leukemia, lymphoma, breast, or lung), autoimmune diseases (lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), or chest injury.
Further tests on the fluid may be required to check for cancer cells, bacteria, or pus depending on the suspected cause.