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Large unilateral pleural effusion

Dr Ian Bickle and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

When a pleural effusion is large and unilateral, concern for an underlying abnormality should be raised. Causes include:

tumour
infection
- parapneumonic effusion
- empyema
- extension from sub-diaphragmatic primary infection
chylothorax
- ruptured / injured thoracic duct
- tumour infiltration e.g. lymphoma
haemorrhage
- trauma
- iatrogenic trauma