pleural exudate

pleural exudate

Pulmonary medicine An abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the pleural space Etiology Infection–bacterial, TB, viral, chylothorax, neoplasm, PTE with pulmonary infarction, GI disease, collagen vascular disease–eg, SLE, asbestosis, pancreatitis, traumatic tap, postcardiotomy, neoplasm Management Thoracentesis. See Pleural effusion.