Pleural Effusion, also known as “water in the lungs”, is a condition where excessive fluid accumulates between the two thin membranes surrounding the lungs. According to a clinical study conducted by Kookoolis et al. (2015), 15% of the patients with pleural effusion die within 30 days of hospitalization. The number increases further to 32% over 12 months. Dr. Abhishek Bali (MBBS, MD in Respiratory Medicine) offers the best pleural effusion treatment in Siliguri with life-saving fluid removal and accurate root-cause diagnosis.
Years of Hospital affiliations Experience
Number of patient
Successful Recoveries
Academic Achievement: He performed the first-ever Medical Pleuroscopy in North Bengal and Sikkim, and he is currently the Head of the Pulmonology Department at Maxwell Hospital & Research Centre.
Since pleural effusion involves the risk of severe complications, seeking treatment from a chest specialist is necessary. Dr. Abhishek Bali, a renowned pulmonologist in Siliguri , is widely recognized for offering safe and effective treatment for pleural effusion. He prioritizes accurate root-cause diagnosis over temporary fluid drainage, which ensures that conditions causing pleural effusion, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, heart failure, or malignancies, are identified early.
Here are the top reasons to choose Dr. Bali:
He utilizes high-resolution ultrasound for safe fluid drainage.
He focuses on addressing the root cause of pleural effusion so that re-accumulation and repeated drainage procedures can be prevented.
He is the lead pulmonologist in Maxwell Hospital, which has advanced ICU facilities for managing severe respiratory distress.
He executes ultrasound-guided thoracentesis to remove excess fluid from the pleural space, which prevents accidental lung puncture.
He has been associated with pulmonology care since 2012 after completing his MBBS. His extensive qualification of MD in Respiratory Medicine and simultaneous practice make him a highly trusted pulmonologist.
Pleural Effusion is a symptom of an underlying disease that indicates an imbalance between the body's fluid production and its natural drainage mechanisms. By knowing the common causes of pleural effusion, you can take severe actionable steps to prevent fluid buildup and seek timely treatment.
Here are the common causes that trigger such fluid accumulation:
This is one of the leading causes of pleural effusion in India. TB triggers an intense local hypersensitivity reaction that leads to fluid buildup in the pleural cavity.
This is a lung infection that irritates and compromises the blood vessels lining the pleura. The irritation leads to the accumulation of inflammatory fluid known as a parapneumonic effusion.
This is an advanced liver disease that causes lower production of blood proteins (albumin) and increased abdominal pressure. Therefore, the fluid shifts upward through the diaphragm into the pleural cavity.
This is a blood clot that travels into the lungs and causes localized inflammation. PE tends to trigger sudden fluid buildup in the pleural space.
This is another leading cause of pleural effusion, which involves increased back pressure in the blood vessels. The pressure forces watery fluid to leak into both lung spaces.
Cancers involving the lungs, pleura, breast, or other organs can cause pleural effusion by blocking lymphatic drainage or increasing fluid production within the pleural cavity.
As part of offering the best pleural effusion treatment in Siliguri, Dr. Abhishek Bali prioritizes symptom awareness as well. This is because the early symptoms can be easily mistaken for less serious, everyday health concerns. Here are some common symptoms of pleural effusion that you must not ignore:
Here are the common symptoms that require immediate evaluation from a chest doctor:
The process of fluid buildup compresses the healthy lung tissue, which in turn makes it harder to breathe.
The pressure of fluid buildup against the lung tissue and airways triggers a persistent dry cough reflex.
Pleural effusion causes diaphragm irritation, which triggers hiccups. In addition, a persistent feeling of weight, fullness, or pressure inside the chest wall is common.
Fluid accumulation caused by TB or pneumonia is often accompanied by spikes in body temperature and chills.
This symptom is based on patients finding it difficult to breathe while lying down, which is due to fluid buildup creating pressure on the lungs.
Pleural effusion may cause sharp or aching chest pain that often worsens during deep breathing, coughing, or sudden movements.
Dr. Abhishek Bali uses a systematic, multi-step clinical approach to confirm the presence of fluid buildup in the pleural space. This is because pleural effusion is a symptom of underlying disease. Here are the steps typically followed in the diagnosis:
A detailed review of your medical history is done. In addition, a targeted physical exam is performed to look for structural changes in the chest.
Chest X-Rays, thoracic ultrasound, or a CT Scan is done to confirm the presence, location, and volume of the fluid buildup.
If the cause of pleural effusion remains unknown after the initial diagnostics, a small fluid sample is drawn using a thin needle, which is performed under local anesthesia.
In this step, the fluid sample undergoes biochemical and microscopic testing. This is done to confirm whether the condition is fluid imbalance or fluid inflammation.
This diagnostic technique is used when the cause of exudative effusions remains unknown. A small camera is inserted through a tiny keyhole incision into the chest wall, which allows inspection of the pleural space directly and the taking of highly targeted biopsies of abnormal tissues.
After confirming the diagnosis, Dr. Abhishek Bali creates a personalized treatment plan based on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, and amount of fluid accumulated around the lungs. The primary goal is to relieve breathing difficulty, remove excess fluid, and prevent recurrence.
Thoracentesis is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove excess fluid from the pleural space. Dr. Bali performs the procedure under real-time ultrasound guidance, which improves safety and precision while providing immediate relief from breathlessness and chest discomfort.
For recurrent or unexplained pleural effusions, medical pleuroscopy may be recommended. This advanced procedure allows direct visualization of the pleural cavity and helps obtain tissue biopsies while also assisting in treatment planning.
When pleural effusion develops due to tuberculosis, pneumonia, or other infections, targeted medications are prescribed to eliminate the infection and prevent further fluid accumulation.
Patients experiencing severe respiratory distress may require hospitalization and close monitoring. Dr. Abhishek Bali works with advanced ICU facilities at Maxwell Hospital to manage complex and emergency cases safely.
Sreejita Chatterjee, Siliguri
Sujit Roy, Siliguri
Nupur Das, Bagdogra
MBBS, MD (Respiratory Medicine)
Consultant- Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine