Pleural Disorders - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

The signs and symptoms for pleural disorders may include:

• Chest pain that is sharp or stabbing and gets worse when you breathe in deeply or cough or sneeze
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Low weight or slow rate of weight gain in children. Usually the weight is well below the child’s ideal weight or the average weight of other children of the same age
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Bluish skin caused by not getting enough oxygen
• Anxiety
• Rapid heart rate

Complications for pleural disorders can be life threatening. Some of the possible complications include:

• Atelectasis, which can be a complication of pneumothorax.
• Empyema, which is pus in the pleural space.
• Sepsis
• Shock, which is a life-threatening complication of hemothorax or tension pneumothorax. This can happen when blood pressure drops dangerously low.
• Unexpandable (trapped or entrapped) lung, which can be a complication of pleural effusion that is caused by cancer, hemothorax, or pleurisy.

• Diagnosis will discuss tests and procedures used to detect signs of pleural disorders and help rule out other conditions that may mimic a disorder.
• Treatment will explain treatment-related complications or side effects.