Pleuritis

Pleurisy (or pleuritis) refers to the disease entity characterized by inflammation of the pleura. It classically presents as pleuritic pain.

Terminology

Pleurisy is often used by medical professionals and laypeople both to refer to the inflammation of the pleura and also the symptoms. Strictly we should reserve pleurisy for the name of the condition, whilst using pleuritic pain for the symptom.

Clinical presentation

Pleurisy typically presents as pleuritic pain, which is typically described as being sharp in nature. Classically pleuritic pain is exacerbated by any action involving a vigorous inspiration/expiration, e.g. sneezing, laughing, coughing, and deep breathing. Chest wall tenderness may be present. Occasionally a pleural rub can be heard.

Other signs and symptoms will depend on the underlying etiology.

Pathology

Etiology

This is a list of etiologies of pleurisy, not for pleuritic pain, which would be different.

Differential diagnosis

Clearly, in any patient presenting with acute pleuritic pain, it is crucial to exclude the top three diagnoses here.

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