Pleural Effusion ⁽⁷⁾

Pleural and ascitic effusion is a common complication when cancer reaches the middle-to-late stages, and it is relatively difficult to treat. Refractory pleural or ascitic fluid in particular rarely responds to conventional diuretics, and Western medicine mostly relies on draining the fluid to relieve symptoms.

Zhang Jiapeng (1925–1992) was a researcher at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (now the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences). He studied under famous TCM physicians Ran Xuefeng, Yue Meizhong, and Zhao Xiwu. With over forty years of clinical practice, he excelled at…

Guzheng Shenxiao San (Magical Tympanites Powder) comes from Zhang Zhaozhen's Chuimo Youde Ji (Personal Reflections) of the Qing dynasty. The formula consists of fried malt (Chao Maiya), areca nut (Binglang), and Euphorbia kansui (Gansui), each 1 qian (3 g). Powder the above medicines finely; each…

Professor Guo Ziguang once treated a patient with encapsulated pleural effusion. The patient first visited Professor Guo on July 20, 1994, two months after surgery at the Chengdu Tuberculosis Hospital for a pulmonary tuberculoma; post-operatively, encapsulated effusion was found in the right lower pleural cavity.

Dr. Zhang Xijun was born in 1913 and was a native of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. He began practicing medicine formally in 1930 and accumulated more than fifty years of clinical experience over his lifetime. He served as director of the First and Second TCM Hospitals…

Xiao Xingren Jian comes from the Jifeng Puji Fang. It consists of Xingren (Apricot kernel) 2 liang (60 g), and Ziwan (Aster), Kuandonghua (Coltsfoot flower) and Fulin (Poria), each 5 qian (15 g). Preparation: grind the apricot kernels into a paste; grind Ziwan, Kuandonghua and…

Pleural effusion is a common complication of lung cancer and many other chronic lung diseases. Once fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity, patients often develop cough, profuse sputum, chest tightness, chest pain, and frequent or scanty urination; severe cases may show edema of the legs…