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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Fluid Collection In Chest?

Hello,My father has been in hospital with a rare bacterial pneumonia called stenophomonas maltophilia. He was dx with emphysema 4 years ago and has not smoked since. He has been on antibiotics for 17 days and the latest course will end tomorrow night of pip-tazo and septra IV. We were told today he has a large fluid collection on chest ct that will likely require drainage or a chest tube by the end of the week if no improvement. He no longer has fever, but is tachycardic at 126 and saturates at 92 with 5 L o2 via nasal prongs, desats to 78 when off oxygen for 4 minutes. He was sent today for an emergency abdo ultrasound as his liver enzymes were elevated today. Last drawn and normal 4 days ago. Is this possibly related?
Mon, 29 Dec 2014
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Infectious Diseases Specialist,  's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM
Thanks for posting your query

I understand your concerns. As your father had pneumonia, fluid has collected in the chest that is precisely called pleural cavity.
Fluid collection in the pleural cavity is medically termed as synpneumonic pleural effusion.
It is due to excess translate from the infection site.

So no need to worry. As your doctor has told, insertion of chest tube will automatically decrease the effusion.

Hope I have answered your query.

Thank you
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What Causes Fluid Collection In Chest?

Hello Welcome to HCM Thanks for posting your query I understand your concerns. As your father had pneumonia, fluid has collected in the chest that is precisely called pleural cavity. Fluid collection in the pleural cavity is medically termed as synpneumonic pleural effusion. It is due to excess translate from the infection site. So no need to worry. As your doctor has told, insertion of chest tube will automatically decrease the effusion. Hope I have answered your query. Thank you