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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does "pleural Thickening Or Effusion" On Chest X-ray Suggest?

hi doc could you please interpret this result of chest xray of mu aunt who has ESRD secondary to hypertensive nephropathy undergoing dialysis. Impressions: consider pleural thickening or effusion, left, cardiomegaly with mild pulmonary congestive changes
Mon, 23 May 2016
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your aunt is having end stage Renal disease (ESRD). So her kidney is noted functioning properly.
Hence she is not excreting urine out of the body.
So there is positive fluid balance in her body. Hence excessive fluid is accumulating in her body.
Now excess fluid in the body tend to accumulate in body cavities like peritoneal cavity, pleural cavity etc.
Fluid in the pleural cavity is known as pleural effusion.
On chest x ray, pleural effusion and pleural thickening look similar.
So for confirmation, ultrasound examination of chest is needed.
She is also having cardiomegaly and pulmonary congestion. These favour pleural effusion more.
So get done ultrasound examination of chest.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your aunt. Thanks.
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What Does "pleural Thickening Or Effusion" On Chest X-ray Suggest?

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. Your aunt is having end stage Renal disease (ESRD). So her kidney is noted functioning properly. Hence she is not excreting urine out of the body. So there is positive fluid balance in her body. Hence excessive fluid is accumulating in her body. Now excess fluid in the body tend to accumulate in body cavities like peritoneal cavity, pleural cavity etc. Fluid in the pleural cavity is known as pleural effusion. On chest x ray, pleural effusion and pleural thickening look similar. So for confirmation, ultrasound examination of chest is needed. She is also having cardiomegaly and pulmonary congestion. These favour pleural effusion more. So get done ultrasound examination of chest. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your aunt. Thanks.