title: Pleural effusions: evaluation and management.
abstract: Pleural effusions are very common, and physicians of all specialties encounter them. A pleural effusion represents the disruption of the normal mechanisms of formation and drainage of fluid from the pleural space. A rational diagnostic workup, emphasizing the most common causes, will reveal the etiology in most cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH 44195-5038, USA.
authors.forename: José C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yataco
authors.forename: Raed A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dweik
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013907:Thoracostomy