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. 2017 Mar-Apr;58(2):76-80.
doi: 10.4103/0300-1652.219349.

Etiology, clinical characteristics, and management of pleural effusion in Ilorin, Nigeria

Peter Oladapo Adeoye  1 , Wahab Rotimi Johnson  2 , Olufemi Olumuyiwa Desalu  3 , Chima Pascal Ofoegbu  1 , Ademola Emmanuel Fawibe  3 , Alakija Kazeem Salami  3 , Abayomi Fadeyi  4 , Akingbade Adebayo Akin-Dosumu  1 , Ibraheem M Rasheedat  2 ; Ilorin Pleural Effusion Study Group
Affiliations

Etiology, clinical characteristics, and management of pleural effusion in Ilorin, Nigeria

Peter Oladapo Adeoye et al. Niger Med J. 2017 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Background: Pleural effusion (PE) is a primary manifestation or secondary complication of many disorders. This study reviews the pattern and management of PE in a Nigerian hospital.

Materials and methods: The medical records of 213 patients with clinical diagnosis of PE over a period of 3 years were reviewed.

Results: PE accounted for 0.5% of the total hospital admissions. The most common cause of PE was tuberculosis (TB) (32.9%), followed by malignancy (29.1%) and pneumonia (15.0%). The male to female ratio was 1.3:1. TB was the leading cause of effusion in males, while it was malignancy in females. Pneumonia accounted for 61.9% of PE in preschool age and 66.7% in school age. Breathlessness (50.0%), cough (39.4%), and chest pain (24.9%) were the common presentations. Most (90.1%) of them were exudative effusion and with half in the right lung. Chest radiography (91.6%), pleural fluid for Ziehl-Neelsen stain (74.7%), cytology (59.2%), and tissue biopsy (57.8%) were the common diagnostic investigations. The majority (92.0%) had closed thoracostomy tube drainage, while 9.9% had chemical pleurodesis. The intra-hospital mortality was 10 (4.7%).

Conclusion: TB, malignancy, and pneumonia are the leading causes of PE. A multidisciplinary approach is needed for optimal management.

Keywords: Etiology; Nigeria; management; pattern; pleural effusion.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Etiology of pleural effusions in patients by age group
Figure 2
Figure 2
Etiology of malignant pleural effusion
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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