This is a specialist clinic for people with disorders of the pleura. This is the thin lining that covers the lungs and other parts of the chest.

We look after patients with several pleural (thin lining covering the lungs) conditions. This includes:

  • Cancerous and non-cancerous pleural effusions. This is when fluid builds up in space between the lung and chest wall.
  • Pneumothorax. This is also called a collapsed lung. It happens when air has leaked out from the lung into the chest cavity and chest wall.
  • Pleural infection
  • Pleural trauma

  • Dr Avinash Aujayeb, lead consultant for pleural disease
  • Dr David Cooper – consultant in respiratory medicine 
  • Dr Clare McBrearty - consultant in respiratory medicine
  • Dr Jonathan Miller - consultant in respiratory medicine

Find out more on our respiratory doctors page.

You may also meet one of our specialist nurses.

You can be referred to our service by:

  • Your GP
  • Another member of the respiratory team
  • During or after admission to hospital

You will receive an appointment to come to a face-to-face clinic.

The doctor will explore what may be causing your problem. This will include the following:  

  • How long the symptoms have been present 
  • Your current/past job or occupation 
  • History of smoking
  • Exposure to dusty environments including exposure to asbestos 
  • Your family history
  • Medications you are currently taking

You may have a thoracic ultrasound examination, a type of chest scan.

You may need a procedure to take a small sample of fluid. This is called a pleural aspiration. Sometimes a larger amount can be taken to help relieve breathlessness.

Treatment will vary depending on you and your needs. It may include:

  • Simple observation if you do not have any symptoms  
  • Removal of fluid in clinic to relieve symptoms  
  • A CT scan
  • Insertion of a drain called an indwelling pleural catheter  
  • A biopsy procedure such as a thoracoscopy or a CT guided biopsy to get tissue samples. These procedures are performed in theatre and radiology departments.

A new patient appointment lasts about 45 minutes.

Follow-up will vary depending on whether more tests are needed and the results of these.

The aim is to control any fluid production in the case of a pleural effusion. This is done with a drainage strategy and treating the underlying problem. This might need a referral to another specialist.

Treatment will also differ from condition to condition. For example, in the case of a pneumothorax (collapsed lung), often cases get better on their own.