Pleurisy

Question 1

Epidemiology of Pleurisy?

Answer 1

1.5 million per year

Question 2

aetiology of pleurisy?

Answer 2

• viral infection
• bacterial infection
• rheumatic disease i.e. RA
• medications

Question 3

pathogenesis of pluerisy?

Answer 3

• pleura become inflammed
• 2 layers rub on each other
• pain on exahalation and inhalation

Question 4

natural history of pleurisy?

Answer 4

• untreated = pleural effusion
• might cause complete lung collapse
• more fluid = prone to infection

Question 5

manifestions of pleurisy?

Answer 5

• progressive difficulty breathing (dyspnoea)
• cough and pluritic chest pain?

Question 6

symptoms of pluerisy?

Answer 6

1. chest pain - worse with cough/sneezing/breathing deeper
2. shortness of breath - trying to reduce expansion of breathing
3. cough
4. fever

Question 7

complications of pleurisy?

Answer 7

• breathing difficulty - cyanosis
• collapsed lung - due to removal of fluid (thoracentesis)
• further infection

Question 8

prognosis of pleurisy?

Answer 8

1. early treatment = full recovery