Causes
Effusion is usually caused by disease or injury. The two types have different causes:
Causes of Transudative Effusion
- Heart failure
- Malnutrition
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- A large shift in body fluids, such as during childbirth
- Presence of a tumor
Causes of Exudative Effusion
- Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia and other lung infections
- Cancer, especially of the lung , breast , or lymph system
- Rheumatic disease, such as sarcoidosis
- Drug reactions
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your chance of getting pleural effusion include:
- Pneumonia, tuberculosis, or other lung diseases
- Heart attack , heart failure, or infections such as pericarditis , recent cardiac surgery
- Inflammation or infection of the pleura
- Liver disease
- Tumors
- Pregnancy, recent delivery
- Connective tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Certain medications:
- Cancers, such as lung, breast, lymphoma, or mesothelioma
- Chest injury or trauma
- Radiation therapy
- Pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lungs)
- Abdominal infections or pancreatitis
-
Surgery, especially involving
- Heart
- Lungs
- Abdomen
- Organ transplantation
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