What is thoracentesis?
Thoracentesis is a bedside medical procedure used to drain fluid from the space between your chest wall and lungs (the pleural cavity).
Your lungs are enclosed in a two-layered covering called the pleura. There is a thin space between the two layers of the pleura called the pleural space that contains a small amount of fluid called the pleural fluid. Some disease conditions may lead to fluid collection in the pleural space (pleural effusion), which may prevent the normal expansion of the lungs causing several symptoms such as difficulty in breathing.
Thoracentesis is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it does not involve any major surgical cuts or incisions and is typically performed under local anesthesia. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a needle under image guidance between your ribs to withdraw fluid from the pleural cavity (pleural effusion).
Removing the excess fluid provides relief from the associated symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest discomfort. The fluid is then sent for lab analysis to understand the cause of the effusion.
When is thoracentesis performed?
Thoracentesis is performed when the pleural fluid gets collected in the chest (pleural effusion) and your doctor wants to determine the reason for it besides reducing your symptoms due to the effusion. Common conditions for which thoracentesis may be performed are as follows:
- Pleural effusion associated with congestive heart failure (a condition in which the heart does not properly pump out blood to the body)
- Empyema (an area of pus in the pleural space that is the space between the two layers of the pleura)
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
- Cancer
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs)
- Pneumonia
- Liver failure
- Tuberculosis
- Infections (viral, fungal, or bacterial)
- Reactions to medicines
How much fluid can be drained during thoracentesis?
The amount of fluid removed during thoracentesis varies. For instance, if thoracentesis is performed as a diagnostic procedure, then 20-100 mL of fluid may be removed.
- For therapeutic purposes, removing 400-500 mL of the pleural fluid is often sufficient to reduce shortness of breath.
- The usually recommended limit is 1000-1500 mL in a single thoracentesis procedure.
SLIDESHOW
COPD Foods to Boost Your Health - COPD Diet Tips See SlideshowIs thoracentesis painful?
Your doctor will ensure that you feel minimal pain and discomfort during the procedure by giving local anesthesia. You may feel some pain in the area where the needle is inserted. This may happen toward the end of the procedure and should go away when the procedure is finished.
Usually, the discomfort is transient, and medication is not required for it. If you feel a lot of pain, you must tell your doctor, and they may pause the procedure.
What are the risks of thoracentesis?
Thoracentesis is generally a safe procedure. It does not involve any surgical incisions. The complication of thoracentesis may vary depending on the general health and other factors. Your healthcare provider will guide you before the procedure about the risks most applicable to you. The usual risks of thoracentesis include:
- Pneumothorax (presence of air in the space between the lungs and chest wall causing the lungs to collapse)
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Pain
- Pulmonary edema or wet lungs (presence of excessive fluid in the lungs)
- Breathing difficulty
- Liver injury
- Spleen injury
Health News
- CDC Warns of Potentially Fatal Bacterial Illness on U.S. Gulf Coast
- Helping Others as Volunteers Helps Kids 'Flourish': Study
- FDA Approves Pfizer's RSV Shot for Older Adults
- What to Do When Tough-to-Treat Lymphoma Strikes During Pregnancy
- Rate of Pregnant U.S. Women Who Have Diabetes Keeps Rising
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medscape Medical Reference
Top When Is a Thoracentesis Procedure Performed Related Articles
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung condition caused by smoking tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke, and/or air pollutants. Conditions that accompany COPD include chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, and emphysema.Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough. Treatment of COPD includes GOLD guidelines, smoking cessation, medications, and surgery. The life expectancy of a person with COPD depends on the stage of the disease.
DVT Quiz
Take the Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Quiz to learn causes, symptoms, and treatments for these two dangerous conditions.
How Long Does Pleurisy Last?
Pleurisy is a medical condition that causes chest pain and shortness of breath. It is swelling and irritation of the tissue between the lungs and chest wall/ rib cage.Is COVID-19 One of the Causes of Pleurisy?
Pleurisy is a painful lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. Learn what causes it, how it's diagnosed, what you can do to treat it, and if COVID-19 causes it.
Is Pneumonia Contagious?
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung usually caused by bacterial or viral infection (rarely, also by fungi) that causes the air sacs to fill with pus. If inflammation affects both lungs, the infection is termed double pneumonia. If it affects one lung, it is termed single pneumonia. If it affects only a certain lobe of a lung it's termed lobar pneumonia. Most pneumonias are caused by bacteria and viruses, but some pneumonias are caused by inhaling toxic chemicals that damage lung tissue.
Pleural Effusion (Fluid in the Pleural Space)
Pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid in the chest or the lungs. There are two types of pleural effusion, transudate, and exudate. Causes of transudate pleural effusion include congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and cirrhosis. Exudate pleural effusion can be caused by malignancy (cancer) or a lung infection. Typically, transudate pleural effusion is more easily treatable. Symptoms of pleural effusion include chest pain, pain when breathing, difficulty breathing, and cough. Treatment depends on the source or cause of the pleural effusion.
Pleural Effusion Picture
Excess fluid between the two membranes that envelop the lungs. See a picture of Pleural Effusion and learn more about the health topic.
Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining around the lungs, is associated with sharp chest pain upon breathing in. Cough, chest tenderness, and shortness of breath are other symptoms associated with pleurisy. Pleurisy pain can be managed with pain medication and by external splinting of the chest wall.
Pneumococcal Vaccination (Pneumonia Vaccine)
Pneumococcal vaccination prevents one of the most common and severe forms of pneumonia. It is usually given only once in a lifetime, usually after the age of 55, to someone with ongoing lung problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma) or other chronic diseases (including those involving the heart and kidneys).
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Symptoms and signs include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and chills. Antibiotics treat pneumonia, and the choice of the antibiotic depends upon the cause of the infection.
Do I Have Pneumonia Quiz
Pneumonia can be deadly. Take the Pneumonia Quiz on MedicineNet to learn more about this highly contagious, infectious disease.
Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot in the Lung)
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a piece of a blood clot from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) breaks off and travels to an artery in the lung where it blocks the artery and damages the lung. The most common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate. Causes of pulmonary embolism include prolonged immobilization, certain medications, smoking, cancer, pregnancy, and surgery. Pulmonary embolism can cause death if not treated promptly.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries that carry blood from the lungs to the heart. The most common symptoms are fatigue and difficulty breathing. If the condition goes undiagnosed, more severe symptoms may occur. As pulmonary hypertension worsens, some people with the condition have difficulty performing any activities that require physical exertion. While there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, it can be managed and treated with medications and supplemental oxygen to increase blood oxygen levels.