Exudate is a special fluid that can accumulate in various inflamed tissues of the human body. It is formed due to a violation of the walls of blood vessels and the ingress of blood there. The appearance of such a liquid is characteristic at the initial (acute) stages of various pathologies.
Serous exudate
The yellowish liquid is called serous exudate. It is most often found in cases of damage to the body by various infectious diseases, as well as in tuberculosis. It contains not more than 3% protein, as well as a large amount of folded fibrin.
Serous exudate is a fluid whose composition varies depending on the disease. For example, with tuberculosis or syphilis, a large number of lymphocytes may be present, but not at all stages of the disease. If a person has turned into a chronic (protracted) form of tuberculosis, exudate is also present, but the number of plasmocytes is already increasing in its composition.
Eosinophilic exudate
This type of exudate is characterized by a high content in the composition of eosinophilic granulocytes. They are in a secreted serous effusion. Also in medical practice, there is a certain list of diseases in which a liquid of a similar composition is found. Eosinophilic exudate is often found with:
- tuberculosis
- severe infectious diseases;
- an abscess
- serious injuries;
- metastasis of lung cancer, etc.
Various forms of eosinophilic exudate are also found. It can be serous, hemorrhagic and purulent. They all differ in composition, from which they received various names.
Purulent exudate
This type of exudate can occur for completely different reasons. As a rule, this liquid is formed only in the presence of secondary infection. Infection can be in the lungs or in any other organ of the body. Also, sometimes it occurs in inflammatory diseases, in serous cavities.
In addition, there are various stages of exudate.
- Initially, it can be serous, and then - purulent. Its color becomes cloudy with a greenish tint, and the density increases. Occasionally, blood impurities may appear in it. A similar transition indicates a complication of the disease.
- Exudate can lighten, which indicates a positive course of the disease.
- Also, sometimes a transparent exudate can become simply muddy, while not changing its density. This condition also indicates an unfavorable development of the established pathology.
It is worth noting that this type of exudate is considered one of the most dangerous, since almost always it talks about the development of the disease and the ineffectiveness of the prescribed treatment.
Putrid exudate
Putrid exudate is a neglected form of purulent. Usually its color ranges from brown to yellow-green. It contains a huge amount of substances that appear due to the decay products of leukocytes, fatty acids and cholesterol.
The appearance of such a liquid requires special attention from doctors. During therapy, antibiotics and other medications are additionally prescribed. Putrid exudate exudes a very unpleasant odor due to rotting processes.
Hemorrhagic exudate
This type of exudate, as a rule, is noted with:
- mesothelioma;
- metastasis of oncological neoplasms;
- hemorrhagic diathesis, which is supplemented by an infectious infection;
- damage to the thoracic region.
Blood mixes with serous effusion, and the mass itself acquires a liquid consistency.
It is worth noting that with this form, it is very important to examine this exudate in the laboratory. Treatment should also be prescribed depending on the results.
During the study, it is necessary to pay attention to the presence and quantity of red blood cells contained. By this indicator, you can determine the presence or absence of bleeding. If "dead" red blood cells and their decay products are noted in hemorrhagic exudate, this indicates the cessation of bleeding. If, after a second test, the number of fresh red blood cells increased, then in this case we can conclude that there is repeated bleeding.
It is also very important to monitor the state of hemorrhagic exudate during a purulent infection. There are frequent cases when serous-hemorrhagic effusion passes into a purulent form. Impurities of pus are easily determined using special tests, and then appropriate preparations are prescribed.
Also, hemorrhagic exudate can monitor the course of the disease. If eosinophilic granulocytes were recorded in its composition, then the doctor can draw a conclusion about the favorable course of the disease. If their concentration rises to 80%, then this already indicates a gradual recovery of the patient.
Cholesterol exudate
Cholesterol exudate may be present in the human body for a long time. As a rule, it is found in any chronic pathologies. Almost always, its appearance was preceded by an existing inflammatory exudate.
Cholesterol exudate contains very few other elements besides cholesterol. Also, it may already be in a decayed form.
It looks thick with a brown or yellow tint. It is characterized by a pearl overflow. If there are a lot of red blood cells in cholesterol exudate, then its color can vary up to chocolate.
Chylous, chylus-like and milky exudate
All these three exudates can be combined into one type, since they are very similar in appearance (have a milky color), but there are still differences.
- Chylous exudate is filled with lymphocytes. It is noted for various injuries, tumors or inflammations. Its milky color is due to its low fat content.
- Chylus-like exudate. Its appearance is always due to the active decay of fat cells, which also gives it a milky tint. A similar type of fluid is very common in liver cerrosis and developing malignant tumors. The chylus-like exudate is completely devoid of microflora.
- Milk-like exudate is a pseudo-chilly effusion (its second name). In its composition, unlike the first two, there are no fat cells. It is worth noting that milk-like exudate is present with lipoid lesions of the kidneys.
Exudate in the ear
This type of exudate appears in only one case - with chronic exudative otitis media. Designate this disease is not at all difficult. Enough full-time inspection. Diseases are more likely to occur in children and adolescents.
So, upon examination, the otolaryngologist may notice a discoloration of the eardrum. It may be whitish, pink. If there are fluid bubbles in the ear, then this once again proves the presence of exudate, but already behind the eardrum.
The exudate is often liquid, but in advanced cases it can become very thick. In this case, the patient begins to complain of hearing loss and pain.
With such a disease, it is very important to apply treatment on time. The fact is that a very thick exudate affects all areas of the inner ear. Exudate is present both behind the membrane and near the malleus. In addition, it is very difficult to remove in the usual way. In order to get rid of exudate in the ear, the otolaryngologist has to undergo repeated washing. In this case, not only the ear itself, but also the pharynx, as well as the nose.