Pleural effusions – integrated management in the context of current guidelines and clinical practice

Abstract

Pleural effusions represent a common clinical problem with broad etiological vari­ability encompassing benign, infectious, and malignant causes. Accurate diagnosis, proper classification, and selection of optimal therapeutic intervention in accordance with cur­rent guidelines are crucial for successful treatment. This review article summari­zes contemporary knowledge in the diagnosis and management of pleural effusions from the thoracic surgery perspective. The management of empyema based on dis­ease ­stages, therapeutic strategy for malignant effusions with emphasis on lung expandability assessment, and implementation of minimally invasive techniques are dis­cussed in detail. The presented recommendations are derived from recent guidelines of international professional societies (European Respiratory Society, European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, British Thoracic Society) and are supplemented with practical aspects from clinical practice. The aim of this article is to provide readers with a comprehensive tool for effective clinical decision-making in everyday care of patients with various types of pleural effusions.

doi: 10.48095/ccrvch2025426