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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Spontaneous resolution of an isolated unilateral fetal pleural effusion: a case report
D R Cordero1, A M Adra, P C Bonasso
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA.
Isolated pleural effusion is rare and occurs when varying degrees of fluid surround the fetal lung without concomitant hydrops. This article reports a case in which spontaneous resolution of an isolated fetal pleural effusion occurred four weeks following the third trimester sonographic diagnosis, without any morbidity or mortality to the fetus or neonate. The diagnosis and possible complications associated with fetal pleural effusions are also discussed, as well as a proposal for management when confronted with this entity.
Isolated pleural effusion is rare and occurs when varying degrees of fluid surround the fetal lung without concomitant hydrops. This article reports a case in which spontaneous resolution of an isolated fetal pleural effusion occurred four weeks following the third trimester sonographic diagnosis, without any morbidity or mortality to the fetus or neonate. The diagnosis and possible complications associated with fetal pleural effusions are also discussed, as well as a proposal for management when confronted with this entity.
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