PLEURITIS

Abstract

Pleurisy occurs as a dry inflammation of the pleura (pleuritis sicca), with accumulation of exudative fluid in the pleural cavity (pleuritis exsudativa) or as pleural empyema). Primary pneumopathy plays the predominant etiological role. Owing to the decrease of the incidence of tuberculosis, specific forms of pleurisy have grown rarer. As late as 15 years ago, most cases of exudative pleurisy were of tuberculous origin. Owing to importation of tuberculosis by foreigners, specific pleurisy at present is not so rare as generally assumed.