The accuracy of chest sonography in the diagnosis of small pleural effusion

english

2003

volume 37, issue 1

diagnostika   Pleural Effusion   Predictive Value Of Tests   Radiography   Ultrasonography

Društvo radiologije in onkologije
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Background. The aim of the stndy was to evaluate the accuracy of chest sonography in the radiological diagnosis of small pleural effusions. Patients and methods. Patients referred for abdominal and/or chest sonographies for various reasons were examined for sonographic features of pleural effusion. From January 1997 till January 2000, 69 patients were included into the study.Fifty-two patients were found to have pleural effusion not exceeding 15 mm in depth, the rest of them served as controls. Subsequently erect posteroanterior and expiratory lateral decubitus projections were done in all patients. Results. Compared to radiologicai examination chest sonography had apositive predictive value of 92% in the diagnosis of small pleural effusions in our study population. The mean thickness of fluid was 9.2 mrn on ultrasonography and 7.6 mm on expiratory lateral decubitus views (P<0.01). Conclusions. Chest sonography showed a high degree of accuracy for demonstrating small pleural effusions and could repIace lateral decubitus chest radiographs adequately.

16.09.2009