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Sonography of malignant pleural effusion
C Görg1, I Restrepo, W B Schwerk
1Department of Internal Medicine, Philipps University, Baldingerstrasse, D-25 033 Marburg, Germany.
European Radiology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Ultrasound effectively identifies malignant pleural effusion by detecting pleural masses. Echogenic or septated fluid on ultrasound is not a reliable indicator of cancer in exudative pleural effusion cases.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Exudative pleural effusion diagnosis can be challenging.
- Pleural carcinomatosis is a common cause of malignant pleural effusion.
- Accurate non-invasive diagnostic methods are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ultrasound in detecting sonographic signs of pleural carcinomatosis.
- To determine which ultrasound findings are characteristic of malignant pleural effusion.
Main Methods:
- Two hundred and ten patients with exudative pleural effusion were prospectively studied.
- Ultrasound imaging focused on evaluating fluid echogenicity, septations, pleural masses, and lung lesions.
- Findings were correlated with the presence of malignancy.
Main Results:
- Sonographic findings of echogenic or septated fluid were not specific for malignancy.
- The presence of pleural masses on ultrasound was highly characteristic of malignant effusion.
- Ultrasound demonstrated potential for differentiating malignant from non-malignant effusions.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound is a valuable tool for diagnosing pleural carcinomatosis.
- Pleural masses identified by ultrasound are a key indicator of malignant pleural effusion.
- Chest ultrasound should precede invasive diagnostic procedures for exudative pleural effusion.