Pleural Effusion Case 001 • LITFL • Lung Ultrasound Library

A young patient with a history of sarcoma presents with shortness of breath.

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Reveal Answer

There is a very large left sided pleural effusion.
It is causing complete collapse of the lung, and flattening of the diaphragm.
There are irregular solid deposits on the visceral and parietal pleural surfaces.
The fluid contains fine echogenic debris.
The differential diagnosis of echogenic debris within a pleural effusion includes:
- Pus – Empyema
- Blood – Haemothorax
- Chyle (lymphatic material) – Chylothorax
- Proteinaceous debris – Exudate of other cause (e.g. malignancy)
Differentiating solid appearing malignant pleural deposits from blood clot or dependent debris can be difficult. History and clinical examination are invaluable in the differentiation.
Malignant deposits will be fixed to the pleural surfaces and one may be able to demonstrate arterial flow within them using colour Doppler.

Further explanation