Bilateral pleural effusion: etiology, diagnostics

Abstract

The problem of etiologic diagnosis of bilateral pleural effusions is important because of the relatively large number and variety of diseases accompanied by this syndrome, the complexity of diagnosis verification, and the frequent diagnostic errors. The aim of this review is to describe the spectrum of diseases causing bilateral pleural effusion and to consider a set of diagnostic measures to clarify the etiology of the process. Analysis of 60 literature sources showed that the most common causes of bilateral transudative pleural effusions are cardiac, hepatic, and renal insufficiency. Exudative bilateral pleural effusions are found in inflammatory processes in the pleura, including tuberculosis, and develop when inflammation is transmitted by contact or lymphohematogenous routes from the lungs or other organs. Bilateral localization of pleural effusion in tumor processes is observed in 5.7% of cases. Bilateral pleural effusion is seen in pulmonary embolism, diffuse connective tissue diseases, acute idiopathic pericarditis, postinfarction Dressler syndrome, after pericardotomy, and after pacemaker placement. It may be observed in such rare diseases as sarcoidosis, yellow nail syndrome, and Meigs syndrome, and may be induced by some drugs. Conclusion. The choice of therapeutic measures for bilateral pleural effusion is determined by an accurate etiological diagnosis of the underlying disease. The diagnosis should be based on the patient's clinical data and cytologic, microbiologic, and biochemical analysis of pleural fluid obtained by pleural puncture. In some cases, additional examination methods such as pleural biopsy, bronchoscopy, ultrasound, computed, magnetic resonance imaging of the chest and abdomen, and positron emission tomography are required.