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CME Review Article

Pleural Effusions
Sara L. Beers, MD,* and Thomas J. Abramo, MD, FAAP, FACEPy

Abstract: The ability to recognize, understand, and treat pleural DEFINITION


effusions in the pediatric population is important for pediatric health A pleural effusion is defined as a collection of fluid
care providers. The topic of pleural effusions has been extensively between the visceral and parietal pleurae. A small amount of
studied in the adult population. In recent years, these studies have lubricating fluid, 0.25 mL/kg, is normally in this space.
extended into the pediatric population. This review describes pleural When the amount of this fluid increases secondary to
effusions in detail, including the different types and underlying underlying pathology, a pleural effusion is the result.
pathophysiology. We then go on to provide a comprehensive review Pleural effusions are classified as either transudates or
of the recent literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of exudates. Transudates are generally of noninfectious etiol-
pleural effusions in the pediatric population. ogy and result from mechanical factors influencing the rate
of formation or reabsorption of pleural fluid. Exudates are
Key Words: pleural effusions, transudate, exudate, empyema, generally of infectious etiology and result from inflammation
thoracentesis, video-assisted thoracoscopy, thoracotomy of the pleural surface. Further explanation and discussion on
exudates versus transudates is in the sections of Anatomy
TARGET AUDIENCE and Physiology and Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis.
This CME activity is intended for physicians, nurse
practitioners, and physician assistants who care for ill chil- HISTORY
dren and adults, particularly those with fever and respiratory
complains. Specialists including pediatricians, emergency Aristotle recognized the entity of empyema, which is
physicians, pediatric emergency physicians, family practi- known to be a progression of a pleural effusion. He described
tioners, internists, surgeons, and pulmonologists will find drainage of pus with incision, cautery, and a metal tube.1
this information especially useful. Twenty-five centuries later, Dr Evarts A. Graham described
risk of fatal pneumothorax with the drainage of empyemas
during World War I.2
LEARNING OBJECTIVES With the advent of sophisticated imaging technologies
After completion of this article, the reader should be and improved surgical strategies, there has been a lot of
able to: progress made in the diagnosis and treatment of pleural
1. Distinguish between exudates and transudates and the effusions and empyemas since the time of Aristotle in the
pleural space and understand the implications of both 300 BC and World War I in the early 1900s.
types of effusions.
2. Select antibiotic therapy for patients with pleural effusions
based on an appreciation of the likely bacterial pathogens. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
3. Select the appropriate procedure for drainage of pleural The pleura is derived embryologically from the
effusions. primitive coelomic cavity. The visceral and parietal pleurae
are continuous with one another at the root of the lung.
Pleural fluid or a pleural effusion is not a disease in and of
itself. However, it does indicate the presence of pulmonary
or systemic pathology. The pleural space is better thought of
*Fellow, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Pediatric Emergency Medicine,
as a potential space that becomes a true space in disease
Dallas, TX and yPhysician-in-Chief, Division of Pediatric Emergency states that cause an accumulation of pleural fluid.
Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Van- In the case of a transudate, the fluid collection occurs
derbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. due to increased pulmonary capillary pressure as seen with
The authors have disclosed that they have no significant relationship with or congestive heart failure, a decrease in colloid osmotic
financial interest in any commercial companies that pertain to this
educational activity. pressure as seen in renal disease, an increase in intrapleural
Lippincott CME Institute, Inc. has identified and resolved all faculty negative pressure as seen with atelectasis, or a decrease in
conflicts of interest regarding this educational activity. lymphatic drainage as seen in surgical trauma to the thoracic
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Sara L. Beers, MD, duct. In the case of an exudate, the fluid collection occurs due
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, UT Southwestern, Children’s
Medical Center Dallas, 1935 Motor St, Dallas, TX 75235. E-mail:
to increased capillary permeability as seen with pneumonia.
sara.beers@childrens.com. The most common etiology of a pleural effusion in the
Copyright n 2007 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins pediatric population is an underlying pneumonia, followed
ISSN: 0749-5161/07/2305-0330 by congenital heart disease and, less commonly, malignancy.

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Pediatric Emergency Care  Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions

Approximately 40% to 50% of patients with pneumonia will of fluid, with approximately 25 mL of fluid causing slight
have associated pleural effusions.3 elevation of the hemidiaphragm.13,14 Of note, one should not
obtain supine chest radiographs to evaluate a pleural effusion
EPIDEMIOLOGY because this may reveal only diffuse haziness.
It is important to establish if the pleural effusion is
Many studies suggest that the prevalence of empyema
free-flowing or loculated. This aids in both establishing a
complicating childhood pneumonia is increasing in both the
diagnosis and treatment plan. Lateral decubitus chest radio-
United States and United Kingdom.4 – 7 A recent survey from
graphs will allow free-flowing fluid to layer out in a
Texas suggested that the prevalence may be decreasing.8 This
dependent fashion. The affected side should be placed down.
may be attributable to the introduction of the polyvalent
The amount of free-flowing fluid needed to allow layering
pneumococcal vaccine in 1991. Empyemas cause significant
noted on a lateral decubitus film is 5 to 10 mL.14
morbidity in childhood but rarely cause death, in comparison
Ultrasonography is useful in identifying solid versus
with adult empyema, which has an estimated mortality of 20%.9
liquid lesions with a 92% accuracy and is be useful in
evaluating for the presence of loculations.13 Ultrasound can
MICROBIOLOGY also be quite useful with facilitating a thoracentesis, allowing
In children younger than 2 years, Staphylococcus fluid to be obtained with decreased risk. Computed tomography
aureus is the most common cause of empyema.10,11 The is also used in evaluating pleural effusions. Computed
following are the most common organisms causing pleural tomography clearly visualizes the underlying lung parenchyma.
effusions in children S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Loculations are also visualized with computed tomography but
Haemophilus influenza type B, group A streptococcus, not with the degree of certainty that is seen with ultrasound.15
anaerobes, and gram-negative enterics.12 Staphylococcus In diagnosing a pleural effusion, the differentiation
aureus is most commonly seen in the age group of younger between a transudate and an effusion is important. This is done
than 12 months but is seen in all ages. Streptococcus by analyzing the fluid. Transudates generally consist of a
pneumonia is most commonly seen in the age range of 6 to serous, pale yellow fluid, whereas exudates may be cloudy or
12 months but can also be seen in all ages. Haemophilus contain frank pus. Specifically, an exudate has a protein
influenza type B is seen in the 6 to 24 months and is rare after concentration that is greater than 50% compared with the
age 7 years. The overall incidence of Haemophilus influenza serum protein concentration, an lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
type B is significantly decreasing with the implementation of concentration that is greater than 60% compared with the
Hib vaccine. Group A streptococcus is most commonly seen serum LDH concentration and an absolute LDH concentration
in school age children. Anaerobes are most commonly seen of greater than 200 IU/mL. A transudate has a protein
in the age group younger than 2 years. Gram-negative concentration that is less than 50% compared with the serum
enterics are seen in all ages. protein concentration, an LDH concentration that is less than
60% compared with the serum LDH and an absolute LDH
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND DIAGNOSIS concentration of less than 200 IU/mL. A milky fluid suggests a
chylothorax. When this is seen, triglycerides and cholesterol
In the case of a very small pleural effusion, a child may
level of the fluid should be measured, and a fat stain such as
be asymptomatic. However, as the effusion increases in size a
Sudan black or red ‘‘O’’ stain may be done on the fluid.
child will develop symptoms which may include cough,
dyspnea, retractions, tachypnea, orthopnea, the use of
accessory respiratory muscles, and/or cyanosis. Often, fever TREATMENT
will also be present. Pleuritic chest pain is sharp and often Treatment of pleural effusions generally depends on
worse with deep inspiration. Physical findings depend to some the severity of disease on presentation and on the underlying
degree on the size of the effusion. Dullness may be elicit with etiology of the effusion. Effective therapy requires control of
chest percussion. Breath sounds may be decreased or absent any infection, resolution of the effusion, and reexpansion of
on the side of the effusion. A dimunition in tactile fremitus the lung. Treatment will likely include antibiotic therapy.
may be appreciated. A friction rub may be heard early in the When the underlying effusion is thought to be noninfectious
development of a pleural effusion. Egophony may be noted in nature as in congestive heart failure or renal failure,
when auscultating the chest in which the examiner hears an empirical antibiotics can be started pending fluid analysis.
‘‘a’’ sound when the patient is saying ‘‘e’’. As the effusion Antibiotic choice should include a third generation
increases, a shift of the mediastinum away from the affected cephalosporin and an antistaphylococcal b-lactamase –
side and occasionally a fullness of the intercostal spaces may resistant penicillin.16 Vancomycin should be considered if
also be appreciated. Hoover’s sign may be present with a large methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus is suspected.
effusion in which the chest wall motion lags on the effected Antibiotics can later be adjusted if a particular organism is
side. Of note, the physical findings of a pleural effusion are identified. Most antibiotics have good penetration into the
often less definite in the infant. pleural space to achieve bactericidal levels. Although there are
Radiographs are an important tool in diagnosing a no evidenced-based guidelines for the duration of antibiotic
suspected pleural effusion. The first study should be a chest therapy, antibiotics should be intravenous until the child
radiograph, both posteroanterior and lateral. Generally, is afebrile and then continued orally for an additional 2 to
blunting of the costophrenic angle requires 200 to 400 mL 3 weeks.17

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Beers and Abramo Pediatric Emergency Care  Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007

Not all pleural effusions require drainage. The decision


TABLE 1. Chest Tube Size by Age
to perform a thoracentesis depends on the size of the effusion
and the patients’ symptoms. If the child is symptomatic then Age Size (F)
drainage should occur. If the effusion is estimated to be
greater than 10 mL on a lateral decubitus film, a Newborn 10 – 12
thoracentesis should be performed. The decision to then 6 mo 10 – 12
place a chest tube will depend on the results of the fluid 1 yr 16 – 20
obtained by thoracentesis. If the fluid obtained reveals an 4 yrs 20 – 28
empyema, then a chest tube is required. The controversy 10 yrs 28 – 32
exists with the pleural effusions that are not clearly identified >14 yrs 28 – 32
as an empyema or pus. These are classified as complicated
and uncomplicated pleural effusions. et al21 describes successful drainage of 2 of 2 empyemas in
The complicated pleural effusion has a pH less than pediatric patients, whereas another author Roberts et al20
7.2, a glucose less than 40 mg/dL, and an LDH greater than reports unsuccessful drainage of 5 of 5 empyemas in pediatric
1000 IU/L. The uncomplicated pleural effusion has a pH patients with pigtail catheters.
greater than 7.3, a glucose greater than 60 mg/dL, and an The proper technique for placing a chest tube begins
LDH less than 1000 IU/L. The gram stain and culture may or with selecting the correct chest tube size (Table 1). Next,
may not be positive with the complicated pleural effusion but the position of the patient must be chosen. In general, the
are negative in the uncomplicated pleural effusion. older child may be placed in a sitting position, whereas an
Measuring the pH properly and interpreting it properly infant should be placed supine. The preferred site for chest
are very important. One must keep in mind that if the patient tube placement is between the anterior axillary and
is acidemic, then the pH of the pleural effusion fluid must be midaxillary lines at the level of the nipple (fifth intercostal
0.15 to 0.3 pH units less than the serum pH to truly reflect a space). Clean the site with povidone-iodine solution. Next,
pleural fluid acidosis. Furthermore, the pleural fluid sample infiltrate the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and periosteum with
needs to be handled properly and be heparinized and kept on 1% lidocaine. Make the skin incision at least 1 intercostal
ice until it is analyzed. space below the rib over which the catheter will pass. This
In a recent study by Utine et al,18 interleukin (IL) 8, helps with maintaining an airtight seal with the chest tube
nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor a concentrations were in place and after its removal. Using a curved hemostat or
measured in pediatric pleural effusions. It was observed that Kelly clamp, bluntly dissect through the muscle and fascial
all 3 markers increased progressively as the stage of the layers to the upper surface of the chosen rib. Next, slide the tip
disease progressed. However, only IL-8 concentration was of the instrument over the superior rib margin puncturing
statistically significant. Utine et al18 concluded that IL-8 may through the intercostal muscles and pleura. A large ‘‘pop’’
be used as an alternative marker for the complication of a will be felt. Do not enter more than 1 cm into the thoracic
pleural effusion. cavity. Spread the tips of the instrument. Fluid under pressure
The uncomplicated pleural effusion may not require a in the pleural space may surge out. Next, grasp the tip of the
chest tube but rather can be monitored. Antibiotics should be chest tube with the hemostat or clamp and advance it through
started and a repeat thoracentesis should be done about 12 the incision and up the previously dissected tract into the
hours later. If the effusion remains uncomplicated, then a pleural space. Once the tip of the chest tube is in the pleural
chest tube is not necessary. However, if the effusion has space, open the hemostat and advance the tube until it meets
become a complicated effusion, then a chest tube should be some resistance. The tip will likely be at the apex of the
placed for drainage. Without the placement of a chest tube, hemithorax. Last, approximate the incision with several nylon
the effusion is likely to loculate and cause further tissue sutures, some of which should encircle the tube to secure it in
damage. In the adult literature, there is some controversy place. A sterile occlusive dressing should be placed. A chest
around this point. Some authors suggest that complicated radiograph must be obtained immediately to evaluate the
pleural effusions can be treated with antibiotic therapy location of the chest tube as well as to ensure that a
alone.19 Further studies need to be done on this topic, in pneumothorax has not occurred.
particular in the pediatric population. When performing a thoracentesis, place the child in a
In the past, large bore chest tubes were used to drain sitting position leaning forward with their head supported
pleural effusions. More recently, the use of percutaneous on a pillow. Elevate the arm on the involved side. In this
pigtail catheters have been used in the pediatric population. position, the preferred site for performing the thoracentesis
They are smaller and thus require less force with insertion. is readily located. The lower tip of the scapula lies just
As well, they are flexible and thus thought to be less above the seventh intercostal space in the posterior axillary
painful. Percutaneous pigtail catheters are recommended for line (a site where sufficient amounts of free fluid are
the drainage of pleural effusions in place of large bore chest usually present). When performing a thoracentesis on an
tubes in the pediatric population.20,21 However, the limita- infant the position should be lateral decubitus with the
tion with these smaller catheters compared with larger bore affected side down. As with placement of a chest tube
chest tubes may be with draining the thicker pleural fluid of described above, the site is cleaned, and local anesthetic is
complicated pleural effusions and empyemas. Fuhrman used. A needle thoracentesis catheter connected to a

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Pediatric Emergency Care  Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions

syringe is advanced through the skin just over the top for early organizing empyemas (fibrinopurulent phase)
surface of the rib. Maintain continuous suction on the because it has significant success and is less invasive than
syringe while entering the pleural cavity. A decrease in a thoracotomy.15,33 – 38 However, decortication by standard
resistance and return of fluid indicate entry of the needle thoracotomy remains the treatment of choice for more
into the pleural space. Remove the syringe and needle. advanced organizing empyemas, when the lung is entrapped
Quickly attach another syringe (20 –50 mL), stopcock, and by a thick fibrous peel.15
T-connector. Remove some pleural fluid. At the end of the
procedure, remove the catheter, and apply pressure.
COMPLICATIONS AND SEQUELAE
Afterwards, always obtain a chest radiograph to rule out
a pneumothorax. With appropriate treatment, children with pleural
An alternative to chest tubes or percutaneous pigtail effusions should do well without long-term complications.
catheters for ongoing drainage of complicated pleural Although there are no published studies that evaluate long-
effusions or empyemas may be repeated ultrasound-guided term outcomes specifically with pleural effusions, Sarihan
thoracocentesis. Shoseyov et al22 compared repeat ultrasound- et al39 showed that most children returning for follow-up,
guided thoracocentesis with chest tube drainage in the several months after treatment of empyemas, had normal
treatment of pediatric empyema and found both treatments to chest radiographs. Only a small percentage of these children
be equally efficacious. showed persistent pleural thickening. Of the children who
The timing of drainage of complicated pleural effusions were old enough to perform pulmonary function tests, the
and empyemas has been studied in adults. Currently, there majority had normal function, with only 5 of 15 patients
have been no published pediatric studies, but several adult showing mild restrictive dysfunction.
studies conclude early chest tube placement upon diagnosis of
an empyema offers improved outcomes.23,24 REFERENCES
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Pediatric Emergency Care  Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions

CME EXAM
Instructions for the Pediatric Emergency Care CME Program Examination

To earn CME credit, you must read the designated article and complete the examination below, answering at least 80%
of the questions correctly. Mail a photocopy of the completed answer sheet to the Lippincott CME Institute, Inc., 770
Township Line Road, Suite 300, Yardley, PA 19067. Only the first answer form will be considered for credit and must be
received by Lippincott CME Institute, Inc. by July 15, 2007. Answer sheets will be graded and certificates will be mailed to
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August 2007 issue of Pediatric Emergency Care.
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PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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CME EXAMINATION
May 2007

Please mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET.

Pleural Effusions, Beers and Abramo

1. The father of a 3-year-old boy brings his son to the shows: 15,000 white blood cells/mm3, lactate dehydro-
emergency department with persistence of chest pain, cough, genase 140, and pH 7.3. After inserting a pigtail catheter,
and upper abdominal pain for 1 week, not improving after you might begin treatment with:
treatment with amoxicillin for 3 days. Chest radiograph a) Cefotaxime
shows a small pleural effusion on the left and possible b) Penicillin
blunting of the right costophrenic angle. Via thoracentesis on c) Ampicillin
the left side, you obtain 10 mL of clear, mildly straw-colored d) Ciprofloxacin
fluid with a lactate dehydrogenase level of 1200 IU/L and e) Azithromycin
pH of 7.1. The most likely cause of this effusion is: 4. A 7-year-old girl complains of fever and cough for 1 week.
a) Pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus She has been taking penicillin for a presumed streptococ-
b) Infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae cal pharyngitis for 2 days without improvement. Chest
c) Pulmonary tuberculosis radiograph shows a left-sided pneumonia with a large
d) Congestive failure from myocarditis pleural effusion that layers out in lateral decubitus view.
e) Subdiaphragmatic abscess You decide to place a pigtail catheter using a guidewire in
2. A 12-year-old boy complains of fever and right-sided the following location on the left side.
chest pain for 5 days. His examination reveals decreased a) 2nd intercostals space, anterior axillary line
breath sounds on the right, and a chest radiograph b) 2nd intercostals space, mild axillary line
confirms a small pleural effusion that is barely visible c) 4th intercostals space, mid clavicular line
as blunting of the right costophrenic angle. The amount of d) 5th intercostals space, mid axillary line
fluid in his pleural space is likely to be approximately: e) 6th intercostals space, mid scapular line
a) 2 mL 5. A 14-year-old girl with pneumonia and an uncomplicated
b) 10 mL pleural effusion, based on analysis of the fluid obtained by
c) 50 mL thoracentesis, seems mildly short of breath 2 hours after
d) 250 mL the procedure. A repeat chest radiograph shows an effusion
e) 1250 mL that has increased slightly in size and the absence of any
3. A 4-year-old boy is diagnosed with a right-sided pneumothorax. Her oxygen saturation is 97%. You decide
pneumonia and pleural effusion. Analysis of the fluid- to drain the effusion and ask a colleague to assist you, as

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Beers and Abramo Pediatric Emergency Care  Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007

you will be sedating the patient. Your colleague sees you a) Is inserted in the posterior axillary line
open up a kit with a pigtail catheter and suggests a large b) Leaves a smaller scar at the insertion site
bore chest tube instead. You reply that you prefer a c) Becomes obstructed less frequently
pigtail catheter because, as compared with a large bore d) Drains thick fluid more effectively
chest tube, a pigtail catheter: e) Can remain in place longer

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Pediatric Emergency Care  Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions

ANSWER SHEET FOR THE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE


CME PROGRAM EXAM
May 2007
Please answer the questions on pages 335 and 336 by filling in the appropriate circles on the answer sheet below. Please
mark the one best answer and fill in the circle until the letter is no longer visible. To process your exam, you must also provide
the following information:

Name (please print): ______________________________________________________________________________________

Street Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Daytime Phone __________________________________________________________________________________________

Specialty _______________________________________________________________________________________________

1. A B C D E
2. A B C D E
3. A B C D E
4. A B C D E
5. A B C D E
Your evaluation of this CME activity will help guide future planning. Please respond to the following questions.
1. Did the content of the article(s) meet the stated learning objectives?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
2. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, how do you rank the overall quality of this educational activity as it pertains to
your practice?
[]5 []4 []3 []2 []1
3. As a result of meeting the learning objectives of this educational activity, will you be changing your practice behavior in
a manner that improves your patient care? If yes, please explain.
[ ] Yes [ ] No
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Did you perceive any evidence of bias for or against any comercial products? If so, please explain.
[ ] Yes [ ] No
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Please state one or two topics that you would like to see addressed in future issues.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How long did it take you to complete this CME activity?
__________hour(s) __________minutes

Mail by July 15, 2007 to


Lippincott CME Institute, Inc.
770 Township Line Road, Suite 300
Yardley, PA 19067

n 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 337

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Beers and Abramo Pediatric Emergency Care  Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007

CME EXAM ANSWERS

Answers for the Pediatric Emergency Care CME Program Exam

Below you will find the answers to the examination covering the review article in the February 2007 issue. All participants whose
examinations were postmarked by April 15, 2007 and who achieved a score of 80% or greater will receive a certificate from
Lippincott CME Institute, Inc.

EXAM ANSWERS
February 2007

1. D
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. D

338 n 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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