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{{frontpage
|pagetitle =Effusions
|pagebody =<div style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; margin-left: 1em;">
'''Effusions''' are increased amounts of fluid in the [[Peritoneal Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneal]], pleural or pericardial cavities. They are not diseases in themselves but they indicate the presence of a pathological process which has altered the local balance of fluid production and removal.
The classification of effusions is based on the '''total cell count''' and '''total protein content''' of the fluid:
*[[Transudate|'''Transudates''']] and [[Modified Transudate|'''modified transudates''']] have the lowest protein contents and cell counts. They usually result from imbalances in the [[Blood Pressure Physiology#Capillary Fluid Shift Mechanism |Starling forces]].
*[[Exudate|'''Exudates''']] have the highest cell counts and protein contents and usually occur with an inflammatory or neoplastic disease process.
Effusions may also occur when other fluids leak into the abdominal or thoracic cavities. Fluids that may be involved include:
*'''Urine''', producing a '''uroabdomen''' (a [[Modified Transudate|modified transudate]] or [[Exudate|exudate]]).
*'''Bile''', producing [[Peritonitis#Causes of peritonitis|'''bile peritonitis''']] (a [[Modified Transudate|modified transudate]] or [[Exudate|exudate]])).
*'''Pancreatic juices''' leaking in [[Pancreas - Inflammatory Pathology|'''pancreatitis''']] (producing a [[Modified Transudate|modified transudate]] or [[Exudate|exudate]]).
*'''Blood''', producing a '''[[Haemoabdomen|haemoabdomen]]''' (a [[Haemorrhagic Effusion|haemorrhagic effusion]]).
*'''Chyle''' (or lymph), producing a [[Chylous Effusion|chylous effusion]] in the thorax or abdomen.
*'''Pseudochyle''', a mixture of cellular debris and lipid that may resemble a [[Chylous Effusion|chylous effusion]].
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[[Category:Peritoneal Cavity - Pathology]]
[[Category:Peritoneal Cavity - Pathology]]