Pleural Ultrasonography

Ultrasound guidance for thoracentesis and pleural interventions

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board

Last updated: June 17, 2026

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Göğüs Hastalıkları department. Book Appointment →

What is Pleural Ultrasonography?

Pleural ultrasonography is a non-invasive imaging method used to detect pleural effusion, estimate its volume and identify a safe entry site for thoracentesis.

Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis can reduce pneumothorax complications by up to 70%. It also informs about the character of the effusion (transudate vs exudate), the presence of septations and pleural thickening.

Symptoms

Suspected pleural effusion

Planning of thoracentesis

Assessment of pleural thickening

Detection of pneumothorax (M-mode)

Risk Factors

Risk of blind thoracentesis in minimal effusions

Patients on mechanical ventilation

Difficulty localising bilateral effusions

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

Clinical or radiological suspicion of pleural effusion
Pre-thoracentesis ultrasonographic assessment
Guidance for chest tube placement

Treatment Methods

Estimation of effusion volume by formula

Identification of a safe entry site for thoracentesis

Planning of intrapleural tPA + DNase therapy in septated effusion

Pneumothorax detection (loss of lung sliding, stratosphere sign)

Real-time ultrasound-guided procedures

Point-of-care ultrasonography for bedside emergency assessment

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Göğüs Hastalıkları department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Göğüs Hastalıkları Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

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Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Asthma

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Asthma is characterized by wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath attacks; with proper treatment it can be kept under control.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

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COPD is an irreversible lung disease characterized by shortness of breath and chronic cough; quitting smoking slows its progression.

Pneumonia

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Tuberculosis (TB)

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Tuberculosis presents with weeks-to-months of cough, fever, and night sweats; early diagnosis and treatment lead to full recovery.

Pleural Effusion

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Pleural effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space, resulting from imbalances in fluid production and removal, and represents a manifestation of diverse cardiopulmonary, infectious, and malignant disorders.

Pneumothorax

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Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space resulting in partial or complete lung collapse, classified as spontaneous (primary/secondary), traumatic, or iatrogenic, with tension pneumothorax representing a life-threatening emergency.

Bronchitis (Acute and Chronic)

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Acute bronchitis is mostly viral and resolves spontaneously, while chronic bronchitis is a smoking-related component of COPD.

Bronchiectasis

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.