Pleural effusion

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In medicine, a pleural effusion is the "presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces. It is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself."^[1]

Diagnosis[edit]

Physical examination[edit]

Dullness to percussion was the best sign at diagnosing an effusion (positive likelihood ratio 8.7) while "the absence of reduced tactile vocal fremitus made pleural effusion less likely (negative likelihood ratio, 0.21)" according to a systematic review by the Rational Clinical Examination.^[2]

References[edit]