Does pleural effusion always require lung washing?
Disease description:
My grandfather has been coughing a lot lately, and sometimes experiences difficulty breathing. After a full medical examination at the hospital, the doctor said it was caused by pulmonary effusion. Does having pulmonary effusion necessarily mean that lung washing is required?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingli
Pulmonary effusion does not necessarily require lung lavage treatment. The treatment for pulmonary effusion primarily depends on its underlying cause and the severity of the condition.
1. Etiological treatment: Depending on the specific cause of the effusion—such as tuberculous pleuritis or pneumonia—appropriate medications such as anti-tuberculosis drugs or antibiotics should be administered.
2. Symptomatic treatment: Diuretics such as furosemide can help reduce cardiac load and alleviate cardiogenic pulmonary effusion. For effusions caused by malignant tumors such as lung cancer, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be necessary.
3. Surgical treatment: In cases of recurrent or severe pulmonary effusion accompanied by symptoms like dyspnea, surgical interventions such as pleural cavity surgery or thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) may be considered.
Lung lavage is not a standard treatment for pulmonary effusion; it is typically reserved for specific conditions such as occupational lung diseases. Treatment for pulmonary effusion should be tailored according to the individual patient's condition.
