Causes of Pleural Effusion - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

Transudate - Hydrostatic

 • Congestive heart failure

 • Constrictive pericarditis

 • Superior vena cava syndrome

 • Atelectasis

 • Pneumonectomy

 • Trapped lung

Transudate - Oncotic

 • Cirrhosis

 • Nephrotic syndrome

 • Protein-losing enteropathy

 • Myxedema

Transudate - Diaphragmatic:

 • Hepatic hydrothorax

 • Peritoneal dialysis

 • Urinothorax

Exudate - Infectious:

 • Pneumonia

 • Tuberculous pleuritis

 • Subphrenic abscess

Exudate - Noninfectious:

 • Malignancy

 • Pulmonary embolism

 • Collagen vascular disease

 • Gastrointestinal disease

 • Hemothorax

 • Chylothorax

 • Postcardiac injury syndrome

 • Post-CABG

 • Medication

 • Radiation

 • Asbestos

 • Uremia

 • Meigs' syndrome

 • Yellow nail syndrome



Dr. André Mansoor @AndreMansoor - Author of Frameworks for Internal Medicine https://amzn.to/2LmUODZ



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