Pleuritis

Background

• Pleuritis (also known as pleurisy) is nonspecific inflammation of the parietal pleura
• Most often follows a viral illness

Clinical Features

• Pleuritic chest pain
  • Typically sharp in nature, worse with respiration, coughing, sneezing, etc
• May complain of shortness of breath as a result of pain

Differential Diagnosis

• Pulmonary embolism
• Pneumonia
• Pericarditis
• Myocardial infarction
• Pneumothorax
• Pleural effusion

Evaluation

Workup

Pleuritis is a diagnosis of exclusion

• EKG
• CXR
• Consider lab testing and/or more advanced imaging per history and physical exam

Management

• NSAIDs
  • Indomethacin is recommended agent (most studied)

Disposition

• Discharge