Title

Benign Pleural Effusions in Adults

Authoring Organization

European Respiratory Society

Publication Month/Year

July 26, 2024

Last Updated Month/Year

August 27, 2024

Document Type

Consensus

Country of Publication

European

Document Objectives

The incidence of non-malignant pleural effusions (NMPE) far outweighs that of malignant pleural effusions (MPE) and is estimated to be at least 3-fold higher. These so called "benign" effusions do not follow a "benign course" in many cases, with mortality rates matching and sometimes exceeding that of MPEs. In addition to the impact on patients, healthcare systems are significantly affected, with recent US epidemiological data demonstrating that 75% of resource allocation for pleural effusion management is spent on NMPEs (excluding empyema). Despite this significant burden of disease, and by existing at the junction of multiple medical specialties, reflecting a heterogenous constellation of medical conditions, NMPEs are rarely the focus of research or the subject of management guidelines. With this ERS Taskforce, we assembled a multi-specialty collaborative across eleven countries and three continents to provide a Statement based on systematic searches of the medical literature to highlight evidence in the management of the following clinical areas: a diagnostic approach to transudative effusions, heart failure, hepatic hydrothorax, end stage renal failure, benign asbestos related pleural effusion, post-surgical effusion and non-specific pleuritis.

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D010996 - Pleural Effusion

Keywords

Benign Pleural Effusions

Source Citation

Sundaralingam A, Grabczak EM, Burra P, Costa MI, George V, Harriss E, Jankowska E, Janssen JP, Karpathiou G, Laursen CB, Maceviciute K, Maskell N, Mei F, Nagavci B, Panou V, Pinelli V, Porcel JM, Ricciardi S, Shojaee S, Welch H, Zanetto A, Udayaraj UP, Cardillo G, Rahman NM. ERS Statement on Benign Pleural Effusions in Adults. Eur Respir J. 2024 Jul 26:2302307. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02307-2023. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39060018.