The collection of water inside the chest and around the lung is called in medical terms a ‘Pleural Effusion’ or ‘Hydrothorax’. There lies an empty space between the lung and chest wall. In this free space, lung regularly and freely inflates and deflates during breathing process. This empty space is called in medical term a ‘Pleural Space’ which is a normal and natural existence in any human chest. When, due to some reasons or due to disease of the lung, water or fluid get accumulated inside the chest around the lung. This is called a pleural effusion or collection of water inside the chest.
Dr. K. K. Pandey is a Senior Consultant in Thoracic & Endothoracic Surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, with 30+ years’ experience in lung cancer surgery, chest tumors, pleural diseases, VATS, esophageal surgery and minimally invasive thoracic procedures. He is also a dedicated health writer and educator.