A Practical Method for Quantification of Pleural Effusion by Usg

Abstract

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to find a correlation between pleural separation and amount of aspirated effusion. METHODSTotal 20 adult patients with 25 effusions were taken into the study with chest x-ray showing homogeneous opacity in either one or both of the lung field, which was confirmed on USG. Only uncomplicated pleural effusion were taken into study. Effusion with septations or encysted effusion or pyothorax were excluded from the study. RESULTSThe separation between two pleura was measured in millimeters and aspirated effusion in milliliters. A positive correlation was noted between these two measurements and relationship is given by a simplified equation. CONCLUSIONBy using this simple equation, we can quantify the pleural fluid quickly in day-to-day practice as well as ICU setting, which can be a useful guide for planning and management for aspiration. CONSENTAs all the patients were adult and fully conscious, informed consent was taken from all of them.

Pleural effusions are associated with adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery: a propensity-matched analysis

“…Our study results suggest that pleural effusions in patients after cardiac surgery have an independent effect on clinical outcome. Efforts should be made to detect insufficient pleural drainage as early as possible (e.g., by daily pleural sonography [ 29 ]) and optimize pleural drainage strategies in clinical routine. Novel innovative chest tubes with an active clearing mechanism should be further investigated in the context of pleural effusions.…”