ABSTRACT
PLEURAL EFFUSION Clinical Presentation Patients with pleural effusion may present asymptomatically or with a variety of symptoms such as pleuritic chest pain (due to inflammation of the parietal pleura), nonproductive cough (resulting from pleural inflammation or compression of the underlying lung), and dyspnea, which is frequently disproportionate to the amount of fluid present. Characteristic physical findings include diminished tactile fremitus, decreased thoracic excursion on the affected side, and diminished breath sounds. Typically, the chest is dull to percussion in the location of the effusion. Bronchophony, or accentuated breath sounds, may be noted
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at the superior border of the effusion along with egophany and whispered pectoriloquy. A pleural friction rub is sometimes noted.
