Pleural diseases in the intensive care unit: A narrative review

Pleural diseases are common among critically ill patients within the intensive care units (ICU), affecting as much as 62% of patients in this setting.While transudative pleural effusions are the most common type of pleural disease within the ICU, other pleural diseases seen include exudative pleural effusions, pleural infections, hemothorax and pneumothorax.. Management of pleural diseases is not straightforward, and each of these diseases has distinct management nuances that are important for intensivists caring for these patients.The purpose of this review article is to provide a narrative review of the different pleural conditions encountered within the ICU and a systematic approach to their management.