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Pleurisy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: Pleuritis; pleural inflammation

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

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.

Pathophysiology

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]

Risk Factors

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

Treatment

Prevention

Early treatment of bacterial respiratory infections can prevent pleurisy.

References

  1. Kass SM, Williams PM, Reamy BV (2007). “Pleurisy”. American Family Physician. 75 (9): 1357–64. PMID 17508531. Retrieved 2013-04-30. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

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Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]: Farman Khan, MD, MRCP [2]

Overview

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]

References

  1. Kass SM, Williams PM, Reamy BV (2007). “Pleurisy”. American Family Physician. 75 (9): 1357–64. PMID 17508531. Retrieved 2013-04-30. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

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Causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farman Khan, MD, MRCP [2] Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

Overview

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.

Causes[1]

Life Threatening Causes

Common Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular Cardiac surgery, Dressler syndrome, Pulmonary embolism
Chemical/Poisoning Asbestos exposure
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect Alferon n, Amiodarone, Inerferon alfa, Infergen, Intron a, Ivacaftor, Methotrexate, Methysergide, Nitrofurantoin, Oxcarbazepine, Pegintron, Pentamidine isethionate, Pramipexole, Roferon-a, Sulfasalazine
Ear Nose Throat Sjogren syndrome
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental Asbestos exposure
Gastroenterologic Familial mediterranean fever, Recurrent hereditary polyserositis
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic No underlying causes
Iatrogenic Cardiac surgery, Radiotherapy
Infectious Disease Bacterial pleural infection, Bronchiectasis, Bronchitis, Bronchogenic carcinoma, Familial mediterranean fever, Lemierre syndrome, Lung infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Respiratory tract infection, Tuberculosis, Viral pleural infection
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic No underlying causes
Neurologic No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic Bronchogenic carcinoma, Lung cancer, Pleural cancer
Ophthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary Bacterial pleural infection, Bronchitis, Chest trauma, Churg-strauss syndrome, Lung cancer, Lung infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Penetrating chest injury, Pleural cancer, Pleural effusion , Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism, Pulmonary infarction, Respiratory tract infection, Rib fracture, Tuberculosis, Viral pleural infection, Wegener granulomatosis
Renal/Electrolyte Renal failure
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy Churg-strauss syndrome, Juvenile chronic arthritis, Recurrent hereditary polyserositis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sarcoidosis, Sjogren syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener granulomatosis
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma Chest trauma, Oesophageal rupture, Penetrating chest injury, Pulmonary infarction, Rib fracture
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous No underlying causes

Causes in Alphabetical Order

References

  1. Light RW (2011). “Pleural effusions”. The Medical Clinics of North America. 95 (6): 1055–70. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2011.08.005. PMID 22032427. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)

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Differentiating Pleurisy from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Differentiating Pleurisy from other Diseases

Inflammatory Conditions

Miscellaneous Syndromes

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Autosomal Recessive Conditions

Cardiac and Vascular Conditions

Autoimmune Conditions

Infectious Conditions

Iatrogenic Conditions

References

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Epidemiology and Demographics

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References

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Risk Factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

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

References

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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Complications

Prognosis

Recovery depends on what is causing the pleurisy.

References

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | Chest X Ray | Ultrasound | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Surgery | Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case Studies

Case #1

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