Definition A puncture is a generic term for a variety of medical procedures. In most cases, a thin hollow needle or an appropriate instrument is used to puncture an organ, a body cavity or a blood vessel and either tissue or fluid is removed. A puncture can be used for diagnostic purposes, for example a … Puncture
How does the doctor prepare the puncture? Whether preparation is necessary prior to a puncture depends on the type of procedure. In general, a hygienic procedure is indicated to prevent infection. Therefore, the puncture area must be disinfected in advance. Depending on the destination of the puncture, special positioning may be necessary (e.g. sitting and … How does the doctor prepare the puncture? | Puncture
Risks of the procedure The general risks associated with any type of puncture include bleeding, infection and injury to organs, nerves or blood vessels. In addition, the puncture site can also cause severe pain. These risks vary depending on where the puncture is performed. In the case of a superficial puncture such as taking blood … Risks of the procedure | Puncture
Special punctures A puncture of the knee joint may be indicated for two different reasons. On the one hand, to drain a possible joint effusion and to examine it if necessary. Whether this is clear, purulent or rather bloody can provide important information about the cause and thus enable a targeted treatment. Pain can be … Special punctures | Puncture
If there is a pleural effusion, fluid has accumulated between the lungs and the chest wall. A pleural effusion can lead to shortness of breath, a slightly elevated body temperature and even fever. The examination findings often show a reduced breathing sound. The pleura is the pleura that extends over the lungs. The pleura consists … Pleural effusion
Type of effusion The most common symptom that occurs in the course of a pleural effusion is shortness of breath (dyspnoea), which occurs mainly during physical exertion. In addition, an elevated temperature up to fever frequently occurs. Some patients also report a feeling of tightness in the chest. The extent of the symptoms increases with … Type of effusion | Pleural effusion
Therapy The therapy is primarily directed at the triggering underlying disease, such as the tumor disease. In addition, physical therapy can be applied in the form of respiratory gymnastics, heat radiation or chest wraps to increase the patient’s well-being. A pleural puncture can also be used for therapy, which is already applied in the diagnostic … Therapy | Pleural effusion
The cause of the water accumulation in the tissues (edema) is a fluid leakage from the vascular system. The relationship between filtration (leakage) and reabsorption (reabsorption) is shifted in favor of filtration. More fluid remains in the tissue and oedema develops. Edema is often the result of an underlying disease, e.g. renal failure (kidney weakness) … Causes of edema
Introduction Pleural mesothelioma is a medical term for cancer in the chest cavity after several years of breathing in asbestos. It affects the pleura, i.e. the lung skin, and describes a mostly malignant tumor of the cell layer lining the chest cavity. It is the most common type of cancer caused by asbestos damage in … Pleural mesothelioma
Diagnosis Unfortunately, the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is made in the majority of cases only at an advanced stage. By then it is usually already too late for a cure of the disease. The findings can be confirmed by a CT scan, which reveals nodular thickenings in the lung skin. It is also possible to … Diagnosis | Pleural mesothelioma
Treatment The treatment of pleural mesothelioma can be precisely adjusted after detailed examinations and determination of the specific type of cancer cell. If the disease is detected early enough, the aim is to cure the disease. For this purpose, lung skin, part of the lung, part of the pericardium and part of the diaphragm are … Treatment | Pleural mesothelioma
Course of disease The course of the disease of the pleural mesothelioma is particularly rapid and, in the case of a malignant cell type, also very aggressive in its growth. In most cases, the patient has been inhaling asbestos for many years, which may have caused asbestosis. Decades later, the general condition of the patient … Course of disease | Pleural mesothelioma
