What causes buildup of fluid in pleural cavity?
Patient: My dad is on hemodialysis. Recently he had a thoracentesis and the doctor extracted more then 2 liters of clear yellow luquid from his right pleural cavity. He took a chest Xray today and it shows the fluid is back and worse. The lab tests on the liquid drawn previously were negative. What is causing the buildup of liquid in his pleural cavity? Doctor: Thanks for your question on HCM. Fluid in pleural cavity is known as pleural effusion.  And broadly speaking there are two types. 1. Transudative.2. Exudative. Transudative effusion is due to causes other than pleural disease. It is seen in cardiac, liver and kidney diseases. It is basically due to fluid overload and low protien. And both of these are seen in kidney patients. Hemodialysis causes protien loss and this is the cause for Transudative effusion in your father's case. So better to get done protien level and start protien supplements.