Investigation of Pleural Effusion - Flowchart
Investigation of Pleural Effusion - Flowchart Investigation of Pleural Effusion Investigation of Pleural Effusion
Flowchart

Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion

Treat & monitor

Treat & monitor

Treat & monitor

End

End

End

Focused assessment (Table 12.3)
CXR Thoracic ultrasonography

Focused assessment (Table 12.3)
CXR Thoracic ultrasonography

Focused assessment (Table 12.3)
CXR Thoracic ultrasonography

Table 12.3

Known cause? (e.g. heart failure)

Known cause? (e.g. heart failure)

Known cause? (e.g. heart failure)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Thoracentesis (check pleural fluid LDH, glucose, total protein, cytology, microbiology)

Thoracentesis (check pleural fluid LDH, glucose, total protein, cytology, microbiology)

Thoracentesis

Treat & monitor

Treat & monitor

Treat & monitor

Chest CT scan

Chest CT scan

Chest CT scan

Cause identified?

Cause identified?

Cause identified?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Consider pleural biopsy

Consider pleural biopsy

Consider pleural biopsy

Treat & monitor

Treat & monitor

Treat & monitor

Consider TB, pulmonary embolism, undiagnosed effusion-patient observation

Consider TB, pulmonary embolism, undiagnosed effusion-patient observation

Consider TB, pulmonary embolism, undiagnosed effusion-patient observation

Cause identified?

Cause identified?

Cause identified?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No