[Pulmonary re-expansion in metastatic pleural effusions after thoracentesis: A pilot study]

Metastatic pleural effusion is a cause of dyspnea. The American thoracic society has strongly suggested that studies evaluating thoracic ultrasonography as potentially predictive of improvment of dyspnea are needed.

We conducted a prospective monocentric observational study to assess chest ultrasound predictors of response to thoracentesis. Fifteen patients with metastatic pleural effusion were included.

The initial mean VAS score was5 ± 2,9 cm. The majority of patients had pleural effusions equal to or greater than 5 intercostal spaces (EIC) in height, while 7 patients had an abnormal curvature of the hemidiaphragm (flattened or inverted).

The volume removed was greater in the group with anechoic pleurisy compared to the group with sonographic septation, notwithstanding complex pleural effusion (non-septated, relatively hyperechoic, with some spots in the effusion). The patients with complex pleural effusions had an higher score of dyspnea.

The 7 patients with abnormal diaphragmatic curvature presented significant dyspnea with a pain score of approximately 7 and profuse pleurisy occupying 8 intercostal spaces in height. The effusions of those who could not normalize their curvature had a complex aspect and the volume removed was lower.

The ultrasound characteristics of pleural effusions seem to be predictors of improvment of dyspnea after thoracentesis. The septated and complex aspects are probably predictors of non improvment of dyspnea.