Light's Criteria for Exudate Pleural Effusion

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How is Exudate Pleural Effusion Diagnosed?

• Pleural fluid protein / serum protein ratio is greater than 0.5

• Pleural fluid LDH / serum LDH ratio greater than 0.6

• Pleural fluid LDH is greater than 2/3 the upper limit of the normal serum LDH.

Causes of Exudate Pleural Effusions:

Pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, infarction, metastasis.

Pleural Effusion and Pleural Glucose Concentration Correlation:

Pleural effusion with a low glucose concentration is consistent with an exudative pleural effusion.

Glucose concentrations less than 30 mg/dL suggest empyema or rheumatic effusion.

Glucose concentrations between 30-50 mg/dL indicate malignancy, lupus, esophageal rupture, or tuberculosis.

Additional Reading:

Basic Pulmonology

1. Lung Mechanics
2. Alveolar-Blood Gas Exchange
3. Gas Transport and Regulation of Respiration
4. Four Causes of Hypoxemia
5. Control of Respiration
6. Systemic vs Pulmonary Circulation FAQ
7. Principles of Gas Exchange in Lungs
8. Hypoxia, Hypoxemia & Hemoglobin-Oxygen Saturation Curve
9. FAQ on Mechanics of Breathing
10. FAQ on Control of Breathing
11. Criteria for Transudate Pleural Effusion
12. Light's Criteria for Exudate Pleural Effusion
13. Notes on Lung Sounds
14. Patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
15. Management of Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis
16. Notes on Asthma Treatment

Pulmonology Videos

1. Video of Pulmonology Examination in a Clinical Setting

Related Topics

1. Histology of the Respiratory System
2. Upper and Lower Respiratory Disorders
3. Pulmonary Examination for Internal Medicine

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