What causes pleural infection in my 4-year-old daughter?

Question

Hi doctor,

My daughter has a pleural infection in the lungs. When she was two years old, decortication was done by open surgery. Now she is four years old. Three days back, she got a fever. Though after taking the antibiotic, her fever subsided, the X-ray report showed mild cardiomegaly with bilateral perihilar congestion.

Is there again a chance for fluid to get gathered inside her lungs?

What should we do for the same?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concerns.

Pleural fluid collection occurs when infection persists for a long time and is not responding to antibiotics. Pleural fluid collection in the past does not increase the chances of collection at a later age.

This time, X-ray (attachment removed to protect patient identity) shows mild cardiomegaly and perihilar congestion. This is not related in any way to lung infection and fluid collection.

I suggest you do an echocardiogram to see the cause of cardiomegaly. Further treatment will depend on the echocardiography report.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.