Pleural diseases, occupational lung diseases

1. Big picture

This topic has two big exam blocks:

1. Pleural diseases: abnormalities of the pleural space, especially pleural effusion, pleuritis, empyema, hemothorax, chylothorax, pneumothorax, and pleural malignancy.
2. Occupational lung diseases: lung disease caused by workplace exposure, especially asbestos, silica, coal dust, beryllium, organic antigens, cotton dust, and occupational asthma triggers.

The examiner usually wants you to answer clinically:

Patient with dyspnea + dull percussion → think pleural effusion. Pleural fluid: first decide transudate vs exudate. **Worker with chronic dyspnea + dust exposure + fibrosis on imaging → think pneumoconiosis