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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Pleural Effusion TB Be Cleared With 6 Months Of Treatment?

Hi Doctor, 2 months 5 days ago, doctor have diagnoised for pleural effusion TB. Around 1.7 L of fluid was removed from left lung pleural area. undergone TB treatment for 2 months. but ESR count has gone from 29 to 59. Chest x-ray doesn't have any improvement. both x-rays (after removing 1.7 l fluid and after 2 months of treatment) looks identical. doctor advice there is no improvement. kindly let me know the reason. I am from India. I have job offer in australia. will my chest x-ray looks fine after 6 month fo treatment. will my esr count will come down. please let me know. Thanks in advance. kind regards, siva
Fri, 17 Jun 2016
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your chest x ray is not improving even after anti tubercular drugs and pleural fluid aspiration.
So we should rule out multi drug resistance (MDR) tb and lung cancer in your case.
So better to get done ultrasound examination of chest and CT thorax to identify whether there is fluid collection or mass like lesion.
If fluid is there then get done pleural fluid gene expert to rule out MDR TB.
If mass is there then get done Biopsy from the lesion for the diagnosis of cancer.
I don't think you will be allowed for job interviews Australia with this chest x ray.
So better to consult first diagnose the cause for your chest x ray lesions and then start appropriate treatment. This may take more than 6 months also.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
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Can Pleural Effusion TB Be Cleared With 6 Months Of Treatment?

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. Your chest x ray is not improving even after anti tubercular drugs and pleural fluid aspiration. So we should rule out multi drug resistance (MDR) tb and lung cancer in your case. So better to get done ultrasound examination of chest and CT thorax to identify whether there is fluid collection or mass like lesion. If fluid is there then get done pleural fluid gene expert to rule out MDR TB. If mass is there then get done Biopsy from the lesion for the diagnosis of cancer. I don t think you will be allowed for job interviews Australia with this chest x ray. So better to consult first diagnose the cause for your chest x ray lesions and then start appropriate treatment. This may take more than 6 months also. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.