Pleural Effusion Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Some types of pleural effusion do not cause symptoms. Others cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Stomach discomfort
• Cough
• Coughing up blood
• Shallow breathing
• Rapid pulse or breathing rate
• Weight loss
• Fever, chills, or sweating
• Hiccupping

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. This may include listening to or tapping on your chest.

Tests may include:

• Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the chest
• Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to examine structures inside the chest
• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures in the chest
• Thoracentesis —fluid sample extracted from the pleural space around the lungs with a needle
• Pulmonary function tests —to check breathing ability
• Biopsy —removal of a sample of pleural tissue for testing