Pleural Effusion

• Allows the detection of small amounts of pleural fluid
• Helps guide thoracentesis
• Place probe at the mid to posterior axillary line
• Effusions shows as black anechoic area on ultrasound

Tips

• Homogeneously anechoic effusions may be either transudates or exudates
• Heterogeneity typical of a complex effusion

Figure 1 - Pleural Effusion

Clip 1 - Pleural Effusion

Lichtenstein, Daniel A. “Lung ultrasound in the critically ill.” Annals of intensive care 4.1 (2014): 1.