Pleural effusion X-ray

findings
Jeetendra
Normal chest X-ray(PA view)

Index:
• a  aorta;
• ca  carina;
• cl  clavicle;
• cpa  costophrenic angle;
• g  gastric air bubble;
• la  left atrium;
• p  main pulmonary artery;
• s  scapula;
• t  trachea.
Normal chest X-ray(PA view)
Index:
• Aaorta;
• Apw aortopulmonary window;
• Cap cardiophrenic angle;
• g  gastric air bubble;
• ip  interlobar (or descending)
pulmonary artery;
• L  liver;
• lv  left ventricle;
• rts  right tracheal (or paratracheal)
stripe;
• sp  spleen;
Normal chest X-ray(PA view)
Index
• A  aorta
• Ajl anterior junction line
• Apw aortopulmonary window
• Ip interlobar (or descending)
pulmonary artery
• Pjl posterior junction line

Normal Chest X-ray (lateral view)
Index:
• a  aorta
• bi  bronchus intermedius
• cpa  costophrenic angle
• d  diaphragm
• e  esophagus
• ivc  inferior vena cava
• lpa  left pulmonary artery
• lul  left upper lobe bronchus
• lv  left ventricle
• m  manubrium
• mf  minor fissure
• MF  major fissure
• rpa  right pulmonary artery
• rul  right upper lobe bronchus
• rv  right ventricle
• st  sternum
• svc  superior vena cava
• t  trachea
• v  vertebral body
Introduction to pleural space
• Contain 2 layers i.e. Visceral and Parietal pleura
• Visceral pleura is outer lining of the lung
• Parietal pleura is lining of the chest cavity
• Normally, these surfaces are smooth and are separated by a minimal
amount of pleural fluid
• Provides nearly friction-free environment for movement of the lung
within the thorax
• Normally contains no more than 3 to 5 mL of pleural fluid
Reasons for accumulation of fluid
• Increase pulmonary capillary pressure (transudate)
• congestive heart failure
• hypoproteinemia
• fluid overload
• liver failure
• nephrosis
• Alter thoracic vascular or lymphatic pathways
• Alter pleural capillary or lymphatic permeability(Exudate)
• Infection or inflammation
• pulmonary embolism
• neoplasms
• Affect diaphragmatic peritoneal and pleural surfaces
• pancreatitis
• subphrenic abscesses
• liver abscesses
• ovarian tumors
• peritonitis
• ascites
Pleural effusion
• Most common radiographic sign is pleural meniscus
• Volume of fluid to produce pleural meniscus within costophrenic
angle varies in individual
Clinical findings
• Decreased breath sounds
• Dullness to percussion
• Decreased tactile fremitus
• Egophony
• Pleural friction rub
 Pleural effusion(lateral view)
• Approx 100 mL of pleural fluid
will cause appreciable blunting of
the posterior costophrenic angle
on the lateral view
Pleural effusion(PA view)
• 200 mL will cause blunting of the
lateral costophrenic angle on the
PA projection in an upright
patient
Pleural effusion(lateral decubitus view)
• A lateral decubitus chest
radiograph, with the side
containing the pleural effusion
placed down (dependent),
demonstrate smaller amounts of
free-flowing pleural effusions
• 1 millimeter of thickness of
pleural fluid in the lateral
decubitus = approx 20 mL of
pleural fluid
Sub-pulmonic pleural effusions
• Sub-pulmonic pleural
effusions elevate the lung
base
• Mimics an elevated
diaphragmatic leaflet
• On the left side, a marked
separation (>2 cm) of the
lung from the stomach
bubble suggests a sub-
pulmonic effusion. Right Sub-pulmonic effusion
with elevated right hemi-
diaphargm
The Same thing.. Rt. Sub-pulmonic
effusion
The apex of the curvature at the lung base is shifted laterally,
and its slope slants sharply towards the lateral costophrenic
sulcus

The rock of Gibraltar sign

Loculated effusion
• Pleural effusions can
loculate as a result of
adhesions
 Features
• Typical configuration of a loculation along the chest wall, often described
as pleural or extrapleural sign
• Angles of interface between the pleural “mass” and the chest wall are
obtuse, and the mass displays tapered borders
• Surface of the “mass” is usually smooth, poorly marginated when seen
PA, and only partially visualized when displayed in an oblique
projection (“incomplete margin sign”)
• Homogeneous content
• “mass” droops on upright images owing to its liquid content
References
• Michael Y. M. Chen, Thomas L. Pope, David J. Ott. Basic Radiology.
2nd ed. Mc. Grow hill. P-115-9.
• Cochard, Larry R.,Netter, Frank H. Netter's Introduction to Imaging.
Elseiver. P-37-9.
Thank you!!