CXR Case 096

There are multiple small opacities of varying size throughout both lung fields.

There is a moderate basal and posterior pleural effusion and circumferential pleural thickening around the right hemithorax with a pig tail drain in situ.

This lady has disseminated breast cancer multiple pulmonary metastases and a malignant pleural effusion.

The veil-like opacity over the right mid zone indicates a posterior loculated effusion.

Malignant pleural effusions can have multiple, thick loculations.

VATS to clear the loculations may be useful for some, although indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) now have a major role in managing what was a very challenging problem.