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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

03:32
A Pleural Effusion Model in Rats by Intratracheal Instillation of Polyacrylate/Nanosilica
Published on: April 12, 2019
Summary
A kidney stone can cause a pleural effusion, a fluid buildup in the chest cavity. This effusion resolved when the kidney stone was treated, highlighting an extrathoracic cause of pleural effusion.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Pleural effusion typically indicates intrathoracic disease.
- Extrathoracic causes, though less common, include hypoproteinemia, Meigs' syndrome, pancreatitis, and subphrenic abscess.
Observation:
- The kidney is anatomically adjacent to the diaphragm and pleural space.
- A case presented with a renal stone and a concurrent ipsilateral pleural effusion.
Findings:
- The pleural effusion regressed spontaneously following the successful treatment of the renal stone.
- This suggests a direct or indirect link between renal pathology and pleural fluid accumulation.
Implications:
- Renal calculi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusions.
- This case expands the understanding of extrathoracic origins of pleural effusions, emphasizing kidney-diaphragm proximity.
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