Types of Pleural Diseases
Pleural diseases can be broadly classified according to the triggering disease process:
- Pneumothorax – Accumulation of air in the pleural space.
- Hemothorax – Accumulation of blood in the pleural space.
- Empyema/Parapneumonic effusion: Accumulation of pus/infected fluid in the pleural space.
- Pleural effusion – Any fluid accumulation in the pleural space due to systemic disease. Pleurisy – an inflammation of the pleura without much fluid formation/accumulation; this presents with sharp pains while breathing.