pleural fluid analysis normal values

Normal pleural fluid pH: 7.60-7.64. Protein: < 2% (1-2 g/dL) White blood cells (WBC): < 1000/mm³ Glucose: similar to that of plasma.

1. How much pleural fluid is normal?
2. What does high protein in pleural fluid mean?
3. What is transudate vs exudate?
4. What is Light's criteria?
5. Can pleural effusion be cured?
6. Who is at risk for pleural effusion?
7. How do you interpret pleural fluid?
8. What is the purpose of pleural fluid?
9. What is the most common cause of pleural effusion in the clinical setting?
10. What does Transudate mean?
11. What causes exudate?
12. What is exudate mean?

How much pleural fluid is normal?

In a healthy human, the pleural space contains a small amount of fluid (about 10 to 20 mL), with a low protein concentration (less than 1.5 g/dL). Pleural fluid is filtered at the parietal pleural level from systemic microvessels to the extrapleural interstitium and into the pleural space down a pressure gradient.

What does high protein in pleural fluid mean?

A high protein concentration in a pleural effusion makes it more likely to be a malignant than a transudative effusion. However, the variability in protein composition between these two forms of pleural effusion is not well understood.

What is transudate vs exudate?

“Transudate” is fluid buildup caused by systemic conditions that alter the pressure in blood vessels, causing fluid to leave the vascular system. “Exudate” is fluid buildup caused by tissue leakage due to inflammation or local cellular damage.

What is Light's criteria?

Light's Criteria are used to determine whether a pleural effusion is exudative or transudative. Satisfying any ONE criterium means it is exudative: Pleural Total Protein/Serum Total Protein ratio > 0.5. Pleural lactate dehydrogenase/Serum lactate dehydrogenase ratio > 0.6.

Can pleural effusion be cured?

This condition is a sign that the cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other areas of the body. Common causes of malignant pleural effusion are lymphoma and cancers of the breast, lung, and ovary. A malignant pleural effusion is treatable. But it can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

Who is at risk for pleural effusion?

Common risk factors in the development of pleural effusion include pre-existing lung damage or disease, chronic smokers, neoplasia (e.g. lung cancer patients), alcohol abuse, use of certain medications (e.g. dasatinib in the treatment of patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia and immunosuppressive medicine), ...

How do you interpret pleural fluid?

The fluid is considered an exudate if any of the following are present:

1. The ratio of pleural fluid to serum protein is greater than 0.5.
2. The ratio of pleural fluid to serum LDH is greater than 0.6.
3. The pleural fluid LDH value is greater than two-thirds of the upper limit of the normal serum value.

What is the purpose of pleural fluid?

The pleura is a two-layer membrane that covers the lungs and lines the chest cavity. The area that contains pleural fluid is known as the pleural space. Normally, there is a small amount of pleural fluid in the pleural space. The fluid keeps the pleura moist and reduces friction between the membranes when you breathe.

What is the most common cause of pleural effusion in the clinical setting?

The most common causes of pleural effusion are congestive heart failure, cancer, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. Pleural fluid puncture (pleural tap) enables the differentiation of a transudate from an exudate, which remains, at present, the foundation of the further diagnostic work-up.

What does Transudate mean?

A transudate is a filtrate of blood. It is due to increased pressure in the veins and capillaries that forces fluid through the vessel walls or to a low level of protein in blood serum. Transudate accumulates in tissues outside the blood vessels and causes edema (swelling).

What causes exudate?

Exudate occurs when there is inflammation resulting in increased permeability of capillaries and visceral pleura together with impaired lymphatic reabsorption (as in pneumonia or malignancy).

What is exudate mean?

Exudate is fluid that leaks out of blood vessels into nearby tissues. The fluid is made of cells, proteins, and solid materials. Exudate may ooze from cuts or from areas of infection or inflammation. It is also called pus.