| [ Summary ] |
Pleural effusions are divided into two groups, transudates and exudates. Transudative pleural effusions result from decreased osmotic pressure, and exudative effusions from increased capillary permeability. The causes of pleural effusions are heart failure, hypoproteinemia, tuberculosis, pneumonia, carcinoma, etc. Past clinical history, physical examination, chest X-ray film, and characteristics of the fluid are useful for making the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions. Ultrafiltration therapy is effective in the treatment of the transudative effusion in dialysis patients. First of all, the primary disease which caused the pleural effusion should be treated. Pleural effusions related to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) occasionally occur due to leak of dialysate from the peritoneal to the pleural cavity. In some cases, CAPD must be discontinued due to the development of the effusion. It should be taken into account that pleural effusions in dialysis patients can be caused by some complication, for instance carcinoma, as well as overhydration. |