Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has an incidence of 500,000 new cases a year in the United States and Europe and has long been recognized as a cause of significant morbidity in patients with advanced cancer. Associated loculations have been identified as a poor prognostic factor.Diagnosing MPE typically involves a combination of clinical assessment, imaging studies, and laboratory analysis of pleural fluid. Symptoms such as dyspnea, chest pain, and cough prompt further evaluation, often starting with a chest x-ray or computed tomography to detect fluid accumulation. Thoracentesis allows for cytological examination to identify malignant cells. Additional tests like pleural biopsy or biomarkers may be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. Advanced imaging techniques and molecular testing can aid in determining the primary malignancy and guiding treatment strategies.Management of malignant pleural effusion involves therapeutic thoracentesis for symptom relief, pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheters to prevent fluid recurrence, and treatment of the underlying malignancy to address the root cause. Spengler was the first to perform chemical pleurodesis using hypertonic glucose in 1901. Controversy over the ideal agent for this procedure has evolved since then. However, talc has been recognized as the most widely used and studied agent.This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance learners’ competence in evaluating and managing MPE. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the condition’s pathogenesis, various clinical presentations, and evidence-based diagnostic and management strategies. Greater proficiency prepares learners to work within an interprofessional team caring for patients with MPE.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/130747
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.5 hours
Nursing: 1.5 hours
Pharmacy: 1.5 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABPATH - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABA - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABA)
ABTS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABTS)
ABIM - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP)
ABTS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABTS) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: Adolescent Medicine, Ambulatory/Outpatient, Cardiothoracic, Complex General Surgical Oncology, Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, General Operative Anesthesia, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, General Thoracic, Geriatric Medicine, Hematology, Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Non-Thoracic Surgery, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Pediatric Pulmonology, Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary, Mediastinum, Surgical Critical Care