Pleurisy
Pleurisy: An inflammation of the visceral and parietal
pleurae that line the inside of the thoracic cage and envelop the lungs,
pleurisy usually begins suddenly.
Cause: Pleurisy develops as a complication of pneumonia, tuberculosis,
viruses, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, uremia, cancer,
pulmonary infarction, or chest trauma.
Symptoms:
Sharp, stabbing pain that increases with respiration may be so severe
that it limits movement on the affected side during breathing
Dyspnea
Auscultation reveals a characteristic pleural friction rub - a coarse,
creaky sound heard during late inspiration and early expiration, directly
over the area of pleural inflammation
Treatment:
Treatment usually symptomatic
Anti inflammatory agents
Analgesics
Bed rest
Severe pain may require intercostal nerve block.
Pleurisy with pleural effusion calls for therapeutic and diagnostic
thoracentesis
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