Pleurale aandoeningen: soorten en korte beschrijving

The pleura is a thin membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity, with a fluid-filled pleural cavity in between for lung protection and cushioning during breathing.

Disorders of the pleura include the following:

Pleurisy or pleuritis denotes inflammation of the pleura caused by pneumonia or underlying autoimmune diseases, leading to chest pain and difficulty breathing.

Next, pleural effusion involves the accumulation of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura, often due to infections or heart failure.

Common symptoms include cough and dyspnea.

Pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural cavity, often due to chest trauma or underlying lung conditions, potentially leading to lung collapse. Symptoms include chest pain and dyspnea.

Hemothorax refers to the accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity due to chest trauma or injury, which can potentially lead to lung collapse and respiratory distress. Symptoms include hypotension, chest pain, and dyspnea.

Finally, empyema signifies the collection of pus in the pleural space due to bacterial infections, such as pneumonia. Symptoms include fever and breathing difficulties.