Pleural Disease Programme
Pleural disease occurs when the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs, becomes inflamed or damaged. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing. AKUH is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of pleural diseases. Our team of highly skilled specialists is committed to delivering compassionate care and improving the quality of life for patients with pleural conditions.
Conditions We Treat
We specialise in treating a wide range of pleural diseases, including:
- Pleural effusion: Collection of excess fluid in the pleural space surrounding the lungs.
- Empyema: The presence of pus in the pleural space around the lungs.
- Pneumothorax: The trapping of air in the pleural space, which can lead to lung collapse.
- Mesothelioma: A rare type of cancer that originates in the pleura.
- Pleural tuberculosis: An infection of the pleura caused by tuberculosis bacteria.
- Other pleural diseases: Conditions such as pleural fibrosis and pleural thickening.
Our Services
Our programme offers a comprehensive range of services to meet the needs of each patient:
- Diagnostic procedures: These include chest X-rays, CT scans, thoracic ultrasound, thoracentesis (the removal of fluid from the pleural space), and pleural biopsy via pleuroscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
- Pleural fluid analysis: Laboratory tests conducted to determine the cause of pleural effusion.
- Medical management: Treatment with medications to address underlying conditions and manage symptoms.
- Minimally invasive procedures:
- Chest tube thoracostomy: Insertion of a chest tube into the pleural space for the drainage of air and fluid.
- Pigtail insertion: A small-bore tube inserted into the pleural space for more comfortable and manageable drainage of fluid and air.
- Pleurodesis: A procedure to adhere the two layers of the pleura to prevent the recurrent accumulation of air and fluid.
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): A minimally invasive surgical technique for diagnosis and treatment.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: Treatment options for patients with malignant pleural effusion or mesothelioma.
Our Multidisciplinary Team
Our services are delivered by a team of dedicated healthcare professionals, including:
- Pulmonologists: Specialists in lung and pleural diseases.
- Thoracic surgeons: Surgeons who specialise in surgical management of the pleural and lung diseases.
- Radiologists: Specialists in medical imaging.
- Pathologists: Specialists in the diagnosis of diseases through laboratory testing.
- Nurses: Dedicated to providing compassionate care and support.
To learn more about our highly trained and skilled experts, search on Find a Doctor under the speciality of Pulmonology.
By combining expertise, advanced technology, and a patient-centred approach, the AKUH Pleural Disease Programme is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for individuals with pleural diseases.
