Pleuropneumonia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Pleuropneumonia
Diagram of the lungs and pleura
Synonyms	Pleuropneumonitis
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Cough, chest pain, fever, dyspnea
Complications	Pleural effusion, empyema, sepsis
Onset	Acute
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Bacterial infection, viral infection, fungal infection
Risks	Smoking, chronic lung disease, immunosuppression
Diagnosis	Chest X-ray, CT scan, sputum culture
Differential diagnosis	Pneumonia, pleurisy, lung abscess
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Antibiotics, antiviral drugs, pleural drainage
Medication	Amoxicillin, azithromycin, oseltamivir
Prognosis	Variable, depends on underlying cause and treatment
Frequency	Common in hospitalized patients with respiratory infections
Deaths	N/A

A respiratory disease affecting the lungs and pleura

Pleuropneumonia is a type of pneumonia that involves both the lungs and the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the lung tissue and the pleural space, often leading to the accumulation of fluid, known as pleural effusion.

Pathophysiology

Pleuropneumonia occurs when an infection, typically bacterial, affects the lung parenchyma and extends to the pleural space. The most common causative agents are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The infection leads to an inflammatory response, resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory cells and fluid in the alveoli and pleural cavity. The presence of fluid in the pleural space can compress the lung, impairing respiratory function and causing symptoms such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and cough. The inflammation of the pleura, known as pleuritis, can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with pleuropneumonia typically present with symptoms of pneumonia, including fever, productive cough, and malaise. The involvement of the pleura adds additional symptoms such as pleuritic chest pain and signs of pleural effusion, which may include decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion over the affected area.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pleuropneumonia is based on clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. A chest X-ray or CT scan can reveal consolidation in the lung and fluid in the pleural space. Thoracentesis, the procedure of aspirating fluid from the pleural space, can be performed to analyze the fluid and identify the causative organism.

Treatment

The treatment of pleuropneumonia involves addressing both the infection and the pleural effusion. Antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment, with the choice of antibiotics guided by the suspected or identified pathogen. In cases of significant pleural effusion, therapeutic thoracentesis may be necessary to relieve symptoms and improve lung function.

Complications

Complications of pleuropneumonia can include empyema, a collection of pus in the pleural space, and lung abscess, a localized collection of pus within the lung tissue. Chronic pleural effusion can lead to fibrosis and impaired lung function.

Prevention

Preventive measures include vaccination against common pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Good hygiene practices and prompt treatment of respiratory infections can also reduce the risk of developing pleuropneumonia.

See also

• Pneumonia
• Pleural effusion
• Empyema
• Lung abscess