Methods of estimation of pleural effusion by ecography

Abstract

Pleural effusion is a frequent pathology in intensive care units. The diagnosis has improved after the introduction of pulmonary ultrasound, an accessible method at the bedside, which allows not only the diagnosis but also the treatment of this entity. The aim of our study is to determine the accuracy of published mathematical equations to calculate the volume of pleural effusion from ultrasound measurements. After doing a systematic review, seven articles were selected that each proposed a mathematical equation. In all of them the results were statistically significant. However, there is no ideal formula among those studied.

Keywords: Derrame pleural; Ecografía; Ecuación matemática; Estimación de volumen; Mathematical equation; Pleural effusion; Ultrasound; Volume estimation.