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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Pleural effusion info needed?
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Pleural effusion info needed?
by veptrmom, Oct 31, 2004 12:00AM
My daughter had pleural effusion post-op in August. Prior to her surgery her lung functions were 83% right lung 17% left. After surgery they were 92% right lung and 7% left because of the effusion on the left side. It wasn't drained, but instead lasix was used to treat it and we were discharged two days later.
Two months later her perfusion results are the exact same as they were when we had them tested post-op. 92% right, 7% left. I expected after the effusion was addressed for the left lung to at least better than it was prior to surgery. Not stay at 7%. How long will it take for this lung to expand, are we missing something?
I need to mention this left lung will never be 100% because it only has two lobes and the surgery was to correct a severe scoliosis that was compressing that left lung.
Two months later her perfusion results are the exact same as they were when we had them tested post-op. 92% right, 7% left. I expected after the effusion was addressed for the left lung to at least better than it was prior to surgery. Not stay at 7%. How long will it take for this lung to expand, are we missing something?
I need to mention this left lung will never be 100% because it only has two lobes and the surgery was to correct a severe scoliosis that was compressing that left lung.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 10, 2004 12:00AM
, Nov 10, 2004 12:00AM
It is unclear whether her poor left lung functions are due to the pleural effusion or to restriction of that lung due to the scoliosis. If the Lasix® (furosemide) cleared away the effusion, then this would not explain her poor left lung functions. If her left chest has been expanded by the surgery, then the scoliosis would not explain her poor left lung functions. Since her left lung has not expanded, this may mean that there is something else wrong with that lung. Her left lung may never expand because of this problem. This could be a congenital problem.
Your daughter will need to be thoroughly examined by a lung specialist to learn the answer to your question and clarify your daughter’s problem.
Your daughter will need to be thoroughly examined by a lung specialist to learn the answer to your question and clarify your daughter’s problem.
The perfusion results we had in October weren't that reliable because of the missing lobe on left. Before surgery the chest was compressed so the lung was measuring as if it had three lobes. The test wouldn't know otherwise because there was no "dead" space.
Now that her chest wall is open the lung has expanded but the perfusion test didn't know how to read the "dead" space of the missing lobe. The other two lobes are doing just fine.
We had a CT of the Chest and a Fluroscopy that shows things are great in there. So that was a sigh of relief.
We have been ordered the CPT vest to help since it's tough to do it with the hands now due to the implants.
My daughter will never be 100% as far as lung function goes she is four years old (almost five) and has had ongoing pulmonary issues since eight weeks of age. My concern was initially that she had another effusion or atelectasis (sp). None of which are the case so that's good.