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KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Pathology
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
- Accumulation of pleural fluid with high protein content
- Increased pleural permeability due to pleural inflammation &/or lymphatic obstruction
- Pleural fluid analysis (Light criteria)
- Pleural fluid protein:serum protein > 0.5
- Pleural fluid LDH:serum LDH > 0.6
- Pleural fluid LDH > 2/3 of upper limit of serum LDH
- Parapneumonic pleural effusion refers to pleural effusion associated with adjacent pulmonary infection
- Empyema: pH < 7.0; glucose < 40 mg/dL
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Nuclear Medicine Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
Laboratory Findings
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Diagnosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
- Shkolnik B et al: Diagnostic accuracy of thoracic ultrasonography to differentiate transudative from exudative pleural effusion. Chest. 158(2):692-7, 2020
- Ali MS et al: Pleuroscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for exudative pleural effusion: a comparative overview. J Thorac Dis. 11(7):3207-16, 2019
- Jany B et al: Pleural effusion in adults-etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 116(21):377-86, 2019
- Skok K et al: Malignant pleural effusion and its current management: a review. Medicina (Kaunas). 55(8), 2019
- Feller-Kopman D et al: Pleural disease. N Engl J Med. 378(8):740-51, 2018
- Raptis CA et al: Mediastinal and pleural MR imaging: practical approach for daily practice. Radiographics. 38(1):37-55, 2018
- Hallifax RJ et al: State-of-the-art: radiological investigation of pleural disease. Respir Med. 124:88-99, 2017
- Porcel JM et al: Accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose-PET imaging for differentiating benign from malignant pleural effusions: a meta-analysis. Chest. 147(2):502-12, 2015
- Heffner JE et al: Diagnostic utility and clinical application of imaging for pleural space infections. Chest. 137(2):467-79, 2010
- Mishra EK et al: Advances in the investigation and treatment of pleural effusions. Expert Rev Respir Med. 4(1):123-33, 2010
- Sahn SA: Pleural diseases. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 31(6):647-8, 2010
- Abramowitz Y et al: Pleural effusion: characterization with CT attenuation values and CT appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 192(3):618-23, 2009
- Quint LE: Thoracic complications and emergencies in oncologic patients. Cancer Imaging. 9 Spec No A:S75-82, 2009
- Hampson C et al: Diagnosis and management of parapneumonic effusions. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 29(4):414-26, 2008
- Arenas-Jiménez J et al: Evaluation of CT findings for diagnosis of pleural effusions. Eur Radiol. 10(4):681-90, 2000
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Pathology
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
- Accumulation of pleural fluid with high protein content
- Increased pleural permeability due to pleural inflammation &/or lymphatic obstruction
- Pleural fluid analysis (Light criteria)
- Pleural fluid protein:serum protein > 0.5
- Pleural fluid LDH:serum LDH > 0.6
- Pleural fluid LDH > 2/3 of upper limit of serum LDH
- Parapneumonic pleural effusion refers to pleural effusion associated with adjacent pulmonary infection
- Empyema: pH < 7.0; glucose < 40 mg/dL
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Nuclear Medicine Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
Laboratory Findings
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Diagnosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
- Shkolnik B et al: Diagnostic accuracy of thoracic ultrasonography to differentiate transudative from exudative pleural effusion. Chest. 158(2):692-7, 2020
- Ali MS et al: Pleuroscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for exudative pleural effusion: a comparative overview. J Thorac Dis. 11(7):3207-16, 2019
- Jany B et al: Pleural effusion in adults-etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 116(21):377-86, 2019
- Skok K et al: Malignant pleural effusion and its current management: a review. Medicina (Kaunas). 55(8), 2019
- Feller-Kopman D et al: Pleural disease. N Engl J Med. 378(8):740-51, 2018
- Raptis CA et al: Mediastinal and pleural MR imaging: practical approach for daily practice. Radiographics. 38(1):37-55, 2018
- Hallifax RJ et al: State-of-the-art: radiological investigation of pleural disease. Respir Med. 124:88-99, 2017
- Porcel JM et al: Accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose-PET imaging for differentiating benign from malignant pleural effusions: a meta-analysis. Chest. 147(2):502-12, 2015
- Heffner JE et al: Diagnostic utility and clinical application of imaging for pleural space infections. Chest. 137(2):467-79, 2010
- Mishra EK et al: Advances in the investigation and treatment of pleural effusions. Expert Rev Respir Med. 4(1):123-33, 2010
- Sahn SA: Pleural diseases. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 31(6):647-8, 2010
- Abramowitz Y et al: Pleural effusion: characterization with CT attenuation values and CT appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 192(3):618-23, 2009
- Quint LE: Thoracic complications and emergencies in oncologic patients. Cancer Imaging. 9 Spec No A:S75-82, 2009
- Hampson C et al: Diagnosis and management of parapneumonic effusions. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 29(4):414-26, 2008
- Arenas-Jiménez J et al: Evaluation of CT findings for diagnosis of pleural effusions. Eur Radiol. 10(4):681-90, 2000
