Pleural Effusion and Ultrasound

At Gel Rounds today, we discussed pleural effusion. The image above is the ultrasound image of a small right sided effusion. The top of the image represents the probe resting on the chest wall, the dark area (e) is the effusion. The Bright band between (e) and the liver is the diaphragm (d). The lung is seen superior and deep to the effusion.

Now that you know how to identify pleural effusion with the ultrasound, use it in addition to your physical exam when doing a bedside thoracentesis.