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National Symposium on Pleural Diseases Held in Lucknow
Pooja Srivastava/ Anytime News Network
Lucknow, April 26, 26
A significant medical symposium focusing on pleural diseases, an increasingly important yet often overlooked category of respiratory illnesses, is being organized today at Hotel Taj Mahal in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. The event, titled “Symposium on Pleural Diseases,” is being hosted by Midland Healthcare and Research Center under the aegis of Surya Foundation. It has brought together some of the country’s leading pulmonologists and critical care experts to discuss emerging challenges and advancements in diagnosis and treatment.
Pleural diseases, particularly pleural effusion, are becoming a growing global health concern. Medical data suggest that approximately 320 to 1300 cases per million population are reported annually. The situation in India is more alarming, where tuberculosis (TB) accounts for nearly 30 to 80 percent of pleural effusion cases. Additionally, pleural involvement is seen in 15 to 25 percent of extra-pulmonary TB cases, with nearly one-third of TB patients eventually developing pleural complications.
Experts warn that delayed diagnosis or improper management of pleural diseases can lead to serious complications such as empyema, pleural thickening, and trapped lung. These conditions not only increase morbidity but also carry a mortality rate ranging between 10 to 20 percent. Other associated conditions, including pneumothorax (air accumulation in the pleural space) and pleural malignancies, further add to the complexity of treatment.
The symposium is being inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, a Padma Shri awardee and one of India’s most respected pulmonologists, known for his contributions to TB control, respiratory research, and medical education. Dr. Suryakant Tripathi, Head of the Pulmonary Medicine Department at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, is also present, bringing his extensive experience in respiratory infections and asthma management.
Among other distinguished speakers, Dr. Manoj K. Goyal, Principal Director and Head of Pulmonology, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, is sharing insights on advanced bronchoscopy and pleural interventions. Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh from Regency Hospital, Kanpur, is also contributing his expertise in managing complex respiratory and pleural disorders.
Dr. Ankit Sharma, Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at Govind Ballabh Pant Institute, New Delhi, known for his expertise in emergency radiological imaging and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), is highlighting modern diagnostic approaches. Dr. Abhinav Guliani from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, a noted interventional pulmonologist, is discussing innovations such as indwelling pleural catheters and endoscopic lung volume reduction.
The scientific sessions of the symposium are designed to address real-world clinical challenges, including early and accurate diagnosis, evidence-based drainage strategies, and management of complicated pleural effusions and empyema. Advanced treatment options for conditions like trapped lung and fibrothorax are also being discussed.
Organizers emphasized that the primary aim of the symposium is to enhance awareness among clinicians, standardize treatment protocols, and equip healthcare professionals with the latest evidence-based knowledge. This initiative is expected to significantly improve patient outcomes, particularly in high TB-burden regions.
