title: Ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of pleural effusions.
abstract: We review the literature on the use of point-of-care ultrasound to evaluate and manage pleural effusions. Point-of-care ultrasound is more sensitive than physical exam and chest radiography to detect pleural effusions, and avoids many negative aspects of computerized tomography. Additionally, point-of-care ultrasound can assess pleural fluid volume and character, revealing possible underlying pathologies and guiding management. Thoracentesis performed with ultrasound guidance has lower risk of pneumothorax and bleeding complications. Future research should focus on the clinical effectiveness of point-of-care ultrasound in the routine management of pleural effusions and how new technologies may expand its clinical utility.
authors.affiliation: Section of Hospital Medicine, South Texas Veterans Health Care System and University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.|Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, South Texas Veterans Health Care System and University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Nilam J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, South Texas Veterans Health Care System and University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Velez
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schnobrich
authors.affiliation: Division of General Medicine and Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dancel
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, South Texas Veterans Health Care System and University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Marcos I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Restrepo
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, North Shore/LIJ Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York.
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Mayo
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D014463:Ultrasonography