Efficacy of ultrasonography and computed tomography in differentiating transudate from exudate in patients with pleural effusion
Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem and can arise from many diseases. The first step in assessing pleural effusion is to decide whether the pleural fluid is a transudate or an exudates. Transudate is caused by imbalances in hydrostatic and oncotic forces. It results from diseases such as heart failure, kidney failure, and cirrhosis. However, an exudate occurs when local factors influencing the accumulation of pleural fluid are altered. Exudates can be caused by clinical conditions such as pneumonia, malignancy, chylothorax and pulmonary embolism (PE). Several imaging methods such as conventional radiography, ultrasonography (USG), computerized tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are being used to diagnose and assess the etiology of pleural effusion.
