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  3. Pleural Based Disease

Condition: Pleural Based Disease

Your pleura is a large, thin sheet of tissue that wraps around the outside of your lungs and lines the inside of your chest cavity. Between the layers of the pleura is a very thin space. Normally it’s filled with a small amount of fluid. The fluid helps the two layers of the pleura glide smoothly past each other as your lungs breathe air in and out.

Disorders of the pleura include

  • Pleurisy – inflammation of the pleura that causes sharp pain with breathing
  • Pleural effusion – excess fluid in the pleural space
  • Pneumothorax – buildup of air or gas in the pleural space
  • Hemothorax – buildup of blood in the pleural space

Many different conditions can cause pleural problems. Viral infection is the most common cause of pleurisy. The most common cause of pleural effusion is congestive heart failure. Lung diseases, like COPD, tuberculosis, and acute lung injury, cause pneumothorax. Injury to the chest is the most common cause of hemothorax. Treatment focuses on removing fluid, air, or blood from the pleural space, relieving symptoms, and treating the underlying condition.

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Providers Diagnosing or Treating Pleural Based Disease

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe all treatments or procedures related to Pleural Based Disease. Review each provider for availability.

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Katy A. Marino, M.D.

Katy A. Marino, M.D. Thoracic Surgeon

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Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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