Role of high-resolution Ultrasound in Assessment of Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Ultrasound has received increasing interest from chest physicians in recent years . Modern ultrasound devices are used easily , inexpensive , light weight and portable which make them suitable for outpatient setting as well as bed side investigation for critically ill patient s offering immediate result its availability , absence of radiation and the non-invasive nature increase its use in the up to date work up of various pleura pulmonary abnormities . The inability ultrasonography to penetrate aireated tissue diverted clinician to appreciating its excellent ability to visualized chest wall, pleura , its superior in many respects to standard supine chest radiography .

Key words (Pleural Effusion, Ultrasound, Pleura) Objective: The use of chest ultrasound is a new era in radiology. The chest radiograph is common modality to identify pleural effusion. Many centers worldwide tend to favor the use of chest ultrasound in outpatient and inpatient (e.g. ICU). Our study tried to focus on benefits of chest ultrasound over classic chest radiography,and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity and diagnostic accuracy of high

resolution chest ultrasonography in assessment of pleural effusion (site ,amount ,septation,loculation ,echogenicity and underlying chest mass) Methods: This is a prospective observational study done on patients complaining of shortness of breath or dyspnea diagnosed later as pleural effusion . Twenty-three patients were enrolled in the study in Radiology department at Ain-Shams teaching hospital, from April 2014 to February 2015.they were 13male and 10 female with mean age of 49 years and age range between (14-74 ) years . Every patient underwent full clinical examination, laboratory and radiological assessment.