Ultrasound assessment of a pleural effusion
rSonographic assessment of the thorax is one of the most common applications of ultrasound in the critically ill patient. It is rapid, simple, and highly accurate in determining the presence of an effusion (vs consolidation) and its characteristics (contents, size, etc). Before this skill can be wielded effectively however, there are some important caveats. In this section, we will review sonographic assessment of the pleural space.
ANatomical planesFirst, the examiner must acknowledge the anatomical planes to best understand assessment of the pleural space. The most common anatomical plane for imaging the pleural space is the mid-axillary line at the level of the diaphragm. With the probe marker pointed cephalad, the imaging plane corresponds to the coronal plane.
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Normal reference imageIn the the patient, the space above the diaphragm may be difficult to appreciate as the lung will "veil" the diaphgram itself. This is often referred to as the "curtain sign"---seen here as the patient inhales the lung expands--as you see the lung coming down. Other typical artifacts seen in this view include a "mirror image" artifact, seen in the far field. This occurs as the diaphragm is a strong reflector. Also notice the screen marker is left, standard acquisition format for non-cardiac images.
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Pleural effusion boundariesIn this patient, the probe is applied to the right hemi-thorax in the midaxillary line with the probe marker cephalad. In the ultrasound clip we can see a rather large black (anechoic space) and the typical anatomic boundaries including:
1. Diaphragm and sub-diaphragm viscera 2. The spinal column in the far field 3. Lung (with likely atelectasis/ consolidation) 4. Chest wall (in near field) |
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The spine signAn oft-quoted finding is the "spine sign". In general, the spinal column is not normally seen above the level of the diaphragm, as alveolar air causes plenty of scatter and reflection. This is because the acoustic impedance of bodily tissue and air-filled alveoli is dramatically different. In the case of a pleural effusion or dense consolidation, the acoustic impedance of the lung tissue changes now fundamentally changing the propagation of ultrasound waves. This change in acoustic impedance now permits the examiner to see tissue as deep as the spinal column.
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Transverse plane imagingAdditional anatomic planesWith the probe now rotated 90 degrees with the probe marker pointed up we can see an axial or transverse plane. The appearance of the chest here is more similar to an axial plane on a CT chest in terms of its appearance.
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Quantification of a pleural effusionAdditional anatomic planesWith the probe now rotated 90 degrees with the probe marker pointed up we can see an axial or transverse plane. The appearance of the chest here is more similar to an axial plane on a CT chest in terms of its appearance.
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References
Balik, M., Plasil, P., Waldauf, P., Pazout, J., Fric, M., Otahal, M., & Pachl, J. (2006). Ultrasound estimation of volume of pleural fluid in mechanically ventilated patients. Intensive Care Medicine, 32(2), 318–321.
Begot, E., Grumann, A., Duvoid, T., Dalmay, F., Pichon, N., François, B., … Vignon, P. (2014). Ultrasonographic identification and semiquantitative assessment of unloculated pleural effusions in critically ill patients by residents after a focused training. Intensive Care Medicine, 40, 1475–1480.
Eibenberger, K. L., Dock, W. I., Ammann, M. E., Dorffner, R., Hörmann, M. F., & Grabenwöger, F. (1994). Quantification of pleural effusions: sonography versus radiography. Radiology, 191(3), 681–684.
Lichtenstein DA. Ultrasound in the management of thoracic disease. Crit Care Med. 2007;35:S250-S261.
Millington, S. J., & Koenig, S. (2018). Better With Ultrasound: Pleural Procedures in Critically Ill Patients. Chest, 153(1), 224–232.
Roch, A., Bojan, M., Michelet, P., Romain, F., Bregeon, F., Papazian, L., & Auffray, J. P. (2005). Usefulness of ultrasonography in predicting pleural effusions > 500 mL in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Chest, 127(1), 224–232.
Vignon, P., Chastagner, C., Berkane, V., Chardac, E., François, B., Normand, S., … Gastinne, H. (2005). Quantitative assessment of pleural effusion in critically ill patients by means of ultrasonography. Critical Care Medicine, 33(8), 1757–1763.
Xirouchaki N, Magkanas E, Vaporidi K, et al. Lung ultrasound in critically ill patients: Comparison with bedside chest radiography. Intensive Care Med. 2011;37:1488-1493.
Begot, E., Grumann, A., Duvoid, T., Dalmay, F., Pichon, N., François, B., … Vignon, P. (2014). Ultrasonographic identification and semiquantitative assessment of unloculated pleural effusions in critically ill patients by residents after a focused training. Intensive Care Medicine, 40, 1475–1480.
Eibenberger, K. L., Dock, W. I., Ammann, M. E., Dorffner, R., Hörmann, M. F., & Grabenwöger, F. (1994). Quantification of pleural effusions: sonography versus radiography. Radiology, 191(3), 681–684.
Lichtenstein DA. Ultrasound in the management of thoracic disease. Crit Care Med. 2007;35:S250-S261.
Millington, S. J., & Koenig, S. (2018). Better With Ultrasound: Pleural Procedures in Critically Ill Patients. Chest, 153(1), 224–232.
Roch, A., Bojan, M., Michelet, P., Romain, F., Bregeon, F., Papazian, L., & Auffray, J. P. (2005). Usefulness of ultrasonography in predicting pleural effusions > 500 mL in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Chest, 127(1), 224–232.
Vignon, P., Chastagner, C., Berkane, V., Chardac, E., François, B., Normand, S., … Gastinne, H. (2005). Quantitative assessment of pleural effusion in critically ill patients by means of ultrasonography. Critical Care Medicine, 33(8), 1757–1763.
Xirouchaki N, Magkanas E, Vaporidi K, et al. Lung ultrasound in critically ill patients: Comparison with bedside chest radiography. Intensive Care Med. 2011;37:1488-1493.