CXR Case 085

There is a multiloculated pleural effusion on the right side.
Left side is normal.

This is likely to be pleural empyema.
IV antibiotics, further imaging and a chest drain are required.

Pleural drainage is definitely required with a chest tube.

It is not certain that a large bore drain is required – smaller e.g. 14-16F drains may be adequate with regular saline flushes to keep them patent.