OVERVIEW
Overview.
Tuberculous pleural effusion is tuberculosis mycobacteria invade the pleura, or caseous tuberculosis breaks into the pleural cavity, resulting in secondary pleural tuberculosis and effusion in the pleural cavity. The main manifestations are chest pain, fever, general malaise, shortness of breath and dyspnea.
Whether medical insurance
Yes
Department
Respiratory Medicine
Clinical Symptoms
Chest pain, fever, general malaise, shortness of breath, dyspnea, etc.
Hazards
This disease can affect respiratory function and can be life-threatening in severe cases.
Examination
X-ray chest film, chest CT, tuberculin test, diagnostic thoracentesis, biopsy, etc.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on chest pain, fever, general discomfort, shortness of breath, dyspnea and other manifestations, combined with diagnostic thoracentesis and biopsy.
Treatment principle
Anti-tuberculosis drugs are mostly used for treatment, and surgery is performed when necessary.
Curable
Symptoms can be improved by active treatment.
Dietary advice
Give high protein, high vitamin, easy to digest diet.
Questions you may be concerned about
Is tuberculous pleural effusion contagious?
Tuberculous pleural effusion is contagious if it is accompanied by tuberculosis.
If the patient with tuberculous pleural effusion is also accompanied by tuberculosis, then it is contagious. However, if the patient does not have tuberculosis, the reason why tuberculous pleural effusion occurs is that the reaction of tuberculosis bacilli in the body leads to an increase in the permeability of the pleural capillaries, and the pleural effusion that occurs is not contagious.
Whether tuberculous pleural effusion is contagious can be determined by the patient’s specific condition and in conjunction with tests such as chest X-ray or CT. Patients with tuberculous pleural effusion should go to the hospital for active anti-tuberculosis treatment and eat more food containing high protein.
Causes
Causes
The disease is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or its metabolites entering the pleural cavity.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Typical symptoms
1. Symptoms
Chest pain, fever, generalized discomfort, shortness of breath and dyspnea of varying degrees.
2. Physical signs
Physical examination of the affected side of the chest may show signs of pleural effusion.
Diagnostic basis
1. Clinical manifestations
Chest pain, fever, generalized discomfort, shortness of breath and dyspnea of varying degrees. Physical examination of the affected side of the chest may show signs of pleural effusion.
2.Auxiliary examination
(1) X-ray chest film, chest CT: It shows a small, moderate or even large amount of pleural effusion in the affected side of the chest, but there is no tuberculosis foci in the lungs.
(2) Tuberculin test: most patients become positive after 6-8 weeks of illness, which can be used for reference in diagnosis.
(3) Diagnostic thoracentesis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be cultured.
(4) Biopsy: pleural biopsy can confirm the diagnosis if antacid bacilli or tuberculous granuloma are found.
Treatment
Treatment guidelines
Anti-tuberculosis drug treatment is mostly used, and surgery is performed when necessary.
Drug treatment
Anti-tuberculosis drugs are used.
Surgical treatment
1. Closed thoracic drainage: patients with large amount of tuberculous pleural effusion who have been ineffective or ineffective in conservative treatment by internal medicine should undergo closed thoracic drainage.
2. Pleurodesis: pleural thickening and encapsulation of lungs, resulting in incomplete expansion of the affected side of the lungs, or the development of fibroids, need to perform pleurodesis.
Other treatments
Repeated thoracentesis to remove the pleural fluid to relieve the symptoms of lung compression or mediastinal shift on the affected side.
Prognosis
The prognosis can be improved with aggressive treatment.
Questions you may be concerned about
What to do about tuberculous pleural effusion
Common treatments for tuberculous pleural effusion include medication, surgery, and other treatments, and the use of medication should be in accordance with the doctor’s instructions.
1. Drug treatment: anti-tuberculosis drugs, such as rifampicin and ethambutol. Attention should be paid to reviewing the liver function every month, so as to avoid damage to the liver function in the course of anti-tuberculosis treatment, and liver-protecting drugs, such as compound glycyrrhizin, can be added if necessary.
2. Surgical treatment: patients with large amount of tuberculous pleural effusion who are ineffective or ineffective in conservative treatment by internal medicine should undergo closed drainage of thoracic cavity. Patients with pleural thickening and encapsulation of lungs, resulting in incomplete expansion of the affected side of the lungs, or developing fibroma, pleurodesis should be performed.
3. Other treatments: repeated thoracentesis to evacuate the fluid and reduce the symptoms of lung compression or mediastinal shift on the affected side.
If tuberculous pleural effusion occurs, it is recommended that the patient go to the hospital in a timely manner to avoid delayed treatment.
Nursing care
Daily care
1. Reasonably arrange rest and activities, avoid overwork.
2. Follow the doctor’s instructions for regular checkups, and do not stop the medication on your own.
Diet
Give high-protein, high-vitamin, easy-to-digest diet.