Validation of Radiological Imaging in Evaluating Cases with Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Background: Pleural effusion disease became widely distributed nowadays with multiple pathogenic mechanisms. Aim of the Work:To assess the concordance between chest X-ray, chest ultrasound (US) and chest computed tomography (CT) in cases of pleural effusion.Method: Seventy patients with pleural effusion subjected to full history taking, examination and Radiological investigations including chest X ray, CT and US.Results: Strong agreement between X-ray, CT and US in evaluation of amount of pleural effusion, moderate agreement between CT and US in evaluating the pattern of effusion even free or loculated with superiority of US, superiority of US and ability to diagnose pleural thickening and pleural mass.Conclusions: ultrasound is standard tool for diagnosing and evaluating the pleural effusion.