Pleurisy is a disease state in which there is inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity, surrounding the lungs. A symptom associated with pleurisy or pleuritis is pleuritic chest pain. Pleuritic chest pain is defined as a sharp pain on either inspiration or expiration. Pleurisy can be caused by a variety of infectious and non-infectious causes.

The visceral pleura does not contain any noci-ceptors or pain receptors. The parietal pleura is innervated by somatic nerves that sense pain when the parietal pleura is inflamed. Inflammation that occurs at the periphery of the lung parenchyma can extend into the pleural space and involve the parietal pleura, thereby activating the somatic pain receptors and resulting in pleuritic pain. Parietal pleurae of the outer rib cage and lateral aspect of each hemidiaphragm are innervated by intercostal nerves. Pain is localized to the cutaneous distribution of those nerves. The phrenic nerve supplies innervations to the central part of each hemidiaphragm; when these fibers are activated, the sensation of pain is referred to the ipsilateral neck or shoulder.^[1]

Underlying lung disease, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, has a higher risk for pleurisy.

Early treatment of bacterial respiratory infections can prevent pleurisy.

The visceral pleura does not contain any noci-ceptors or pain receptors. The parietal pleura is innervated by somatic nerves that sense pain when the parietal pleura is inflamed. Inflammation that occurs at the periphery of the lung parenchyma can extend into the pleural space and involve the parietal pleura, thereby activating the somatic pain receptors and resulting in pleuritic pain. Parietal pleurae of the outer rib cage and lateral aspect of each hemidiaphragm are innervated by intercostal nerves. Pain is localized to the cutaneous distribution of those nerves. The phrenic nerve supplies innervations to the central part of each hemidiaphragm; when these fibers are activated, the sensation of pain is referred to the ipsilateral neck or shoulder.^[1]

Pleurisy is commonly caused by bacterial and viral infections, as well as cancer. Other causes include drug side effects, physical chest trauma, and autoimmune conditions.

• Empyema, pleural

• Renal failure, chronic

• Esophageal rupture

• Recurrent hereditary polyserositis

• Pulmonary embolism

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Common variable immunodeficiency

• Pneumonia
• Paracoccidioidomycosis
• Tuberculosis
• Pseudostellaria heterophylla

• Pneumothorax
• Radiotherapy

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Underlying lung disease, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, has a higher risk for pleurisy.

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• Breathing difficulty
• Collapsed lung due to thoracentesis
• Complications from the original illness

Recovery depends on what is causing the pleurisy.