[Inflammation and pleural fibrosis]

Pleural effusions are frequent. There are many etiologies of inflammatory pleural effusions and of pleural fibrosis. Imaging (standard radiography, ultrasound, scanner, MRI) is important for visualization, localization, and assessment of abundance. Exsudative (inflammatory) effusion can sometimes be distinguished from hydrothorax. Imaging signs generally remain nonspecific but can contribute to the etiological diagnosis. In particular, a CT scan of the chest, without and with contrast injection (tissue impregnation) can, in addition to the study of pleural space, enable an visual assessment of the visceral and parietal pleura, the adjacent chest wall, and the adjacent pulmonary parenchyma or vessels, which may provide diagnostic clues. Imaging can also contribute to therapeutic guidance.