What’s the Difference Between a Thoracentesis and Pleurodesis?
Q. My mom has had three thoracentesis and is about to have a fourth. She has a tumor on her left lung and the fluid tested and cytology shows no cancer. Is it feasible for her to get a pleurodesis? Where will that fluid go if her lobes are sealed off? Ana A. Dear Ana, The purpose of the pleurodesis is to obliterate the space where fluid can accumulate. When successful, it eliminates the need for a thoracentesis to remove the fluid. Dr. Tom Doctor Says Anxiety is the Cause of Shortness of Breath Q. I had a spontaneous pneumothorax in December 2006. Recently I have been having an increasingly difficult time catching my breath despite what I am doing, from exercise to reading a book. At times I feel a sharp pain on my side or a feeling that someone is squeezing very tight. My doctor dismisses my concerns and says it is anxiety; however there are times when I think my lung may have collapsed again due to sudden sharp pains which eventually subside. Should I seek a second opinion or just wa
