Nigerian Medical Journal

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2017  |  Volume : 58  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 76--80

Etiology, clinical characteristics, and management of pleural effusion in Ilorin, Nigeria


Peter Oladapo Adeoye1, Wahab Rotimi Johnson2, Olufemi Olumuyiwa Desalu3, Chima Pascal Ofoegbu1, Ademola Emmanuel Fawibe3, Alakija Kazeem Salami3, Abayomi Fadeyi4, Akingbade Adebayo Akin-Dosumu1, Ibraheem M Rasheedat2 
1 Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
2 Department of Child Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
3 Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
4 Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Olufemi Olumuyiwa Desalu
Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1459, Ilorin
Nigeria

Background: Pleural effusion (PE) is a primary manifestation or secondary complication of many disorders. This study reviews the pattern and management of PE in a Nigerian hospital. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 213 patients with clinical diagnosis of PE over a period of 3 years were reviewed. Results: PE accounted for 0.5% of the total hospital admissions. The most common cause of PE was tuberculosis (TB) (32.9%), followed by malignancy (29.1%) and pneumonia (15.0%). The male to female ratio was 1.3:1. TB was the leading cause of effusion in males, while it was malignancy in females. Pneumonia accounted for 61.9% of PE in preschool age and 66.7% in school age. Breathlessness (50.0%), cough (39.4%), and chest pain (24.9%) were the common presentations. Most (90.1%) of them were exudative effusion and with half in the right lung. Chest radiography (91.6%), pleural fluid for Ziehl–Neelsen stain (74.7%), cytology (59.2%), and tissue biopsy (57.8%) were the common diagnostic investigations. The majority (92.0%) had closed thoracostomy tube drainage, while 9.9% had chemical pleurodesis. The intra-hospital mortality was 10 (4.7%). Conclusion: TB, malignancy, and pneumonia are the leading causes of PE. A multidisciplinary approach is needed for optimal management.


How to cite this article:
Adeoye PO, Johnson WR, Desalu OO, Ofoegbu CP, Fawibe AE, Salami AK, Fadeyi A, Akin-Dosumu AA, Rasheedat IM. Etiology, clinical characteristics, and management of pleural effusion in Ilorin, Nigeria.Niger Med J 2017;58:76-80


How to cite this URL:
Adeoye PO, Johnson WR, Desalu OO, Ofoegbu CP, Fawibe AE, Salami AK, Fadeyi A, Akin-Dosumu AA, Rasheedat IM. Etiology, clinical characteristics, and management of pleural effusion in Ilorin, Nigeria. Niger Med J [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];58:76-80
Available from: https://www.nigeriamedj.com/article.asp?issn=0300-1652;year=2017;volume=58;issue=2;spage=76;epage=80;aulast=Adeoye;type=0