Pleural effusion is not a rare disease in Korea. The diagnosis of pleural effusion is very difficult, even though the patients often complain of typical symptoms indicating of pleural diseases. Pleural effusion is characterized by the pleural cavity filled with transudative or exudative pleural fluids, and it is developed by various etiologies. The presence of pleural effusion can be confirmed by radiological studies including simple chest radiography, ultrasonography, or computed tomography. Identifying the causes of pleural effusions by pleural fluid analysis is essential for proper treatments. This review article provides information on the diagnostic approaches of pleural effusions and further suggested ways to confirm their various etiologies, by using the most recent journals for references.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Pleural Cavity ; Pleural Diseases ; Pleural Effusion* ; Pleurisy ; Radiography ; Rare Diseases ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of using chest radiography to differentiate between three different etiologies of pulmonary edema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plain chest radiographs of 77 patients, who were clinically confirmed as having pulmonary edema, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were classified into three groups: group 1(cardiogenic edema : n=35), group 2(renal pulmonary edema : n=16) and group 3(permeability edema :n=26). We analyzed the radiologic findings of air bronchogram, heart size, peribronchial cuffing, septal line, pleural effusion, vascular pedicle width, pulmonary blood flow distribution and distribution of pulmonary edema. In a search for radiologic findings which would help in the differentiation of these three etiologies, each finding was assessed. RESULTS: Cardiogenic and renal pulmonary edema showed overlapping radiologic findings, except for pulmonary blood flow distribution. In cardiogenic pulmonary edema(n=35), cardiomegaly(n=29), peribronchial cuffing(n=29), inverted pulmonary blood flow distribution(n=21) and basal distribution of edema(n=20) were common. In renal pulmonary edema(n=16), cardiomegaly(n=15), balanced blood flow distribution(n=12), and central(n=9) or basal distribution of edema(n=7) were common. Permeability edema(n=26) showed different findings. Air bronchogram(n=25), normal blood flow distribution(n=14) and peripheral distribution of edema(n=21) were frequent findings, while cardiomegaly(n=7), peribronchial cuffing(n=7) and septal line(n=5) were observed in only a few cases. CONCLUSION: On plain chest radiograph, permeability edema can be differentiated from cardiogenic or renal pulmonary edema. The radiographic findings which most reliably differentiated these two etiologies were air bronchogram, distribution of pulmonary edema, peribronchial cuffing and heart size. Only blood flow distribution was useful for radiographic differentiation of cardiogenic and renal edema.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Edema ; Heart ; Humans ; Permeability ; Pleural Effusion ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax

Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) leads to residual pleural opacity (RPO) in a significant proportion of cases. The aim of this study was to investigate which TPE patients would have RPO following the treatment. This study was performed prospectively for a total of 60 TPE patients, who underwent pleural fluid analysis on the initial visit and chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans before and after the administration of antituberculous medication. At the end of antituberculous medication, the incidence of RPO was 68.3% (41/60) on CT with a range of 2-50 mm. Compared with the non-RPO group, the RPO group had a longer symptom duration and lower pleural fluid glucose level. On initial CT, loculation, extrapleural fat proliferation, increased attenuation of extrapleural fat, and pleura-adjacent atelectasis were more frequent, and parietal pleura was thicker in the RPO group compared with the non-RPO group. By multivariate analysis, extrapleural fat proliferation, loculated effusion, and symptom duration were found to be predictors of RPO in TPE. In conclusion, RPO in TPE may be predicted by the clinico-radiologic parameters related to the chronicity of the effusion, such as symptom duration and extrapleural fat proliferation and loculated effusion on CT.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pleura/*pathology ; Pleural Effusion/*complications/radiography ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pleural/*complications/radiography

PURPOSE: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings and follow-up changes of pulmonary epithelioidhemangioendothelioma (PEH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and serial radiological findings [follow-up,5months-5 years (mean, 26.4 months)] of five patients with histologically proven PEH were retrospectivelyreviewed. Three were men and two were women, and they were aged between 25 and 54(mean, 35.6) years. Initial chestradiographs were available in all cases and HRCT, conventional CT and MRI were available in one, respectively.Follow-up conventional CT (n=3) and HRCT (n=2) were performed, and the size, number and distribution of thenodules, calcification and follow-up changes were analyzed. RESULTS: In four patients, chest radiography and CTrevealed bilateral multiple nodules 1-15mm in size. In two patients, the nodules showed interstitial distribution,and one had a single nodule in the right upper lobe. On follow-up CT images, an endobronchial mass withobstructive pneumonitis (n=1) or consolidation with pleural effusion (n=1) was noted. In three patients, thenodules had increased in size and number, and calcification within the nodules was observed in two. CONCLUSION:PEH usually manifests as widespread nodules, sometimes with calcification. Along with larger and increased numbersof nodules, follow-up images of PEH may show an endobronchial mass with obstructive pneumonitis or aconsolidation-like mass with pleural effusion.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Radiography ; Thorax

Purpose: To determine the differences in the radiographic findings of miliary tuberculosis between patients with and without associated acute respiratory failure (ARF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients in whom miliary tuberculosis had been diagnosed, and assigned them to one of two groups: with ARF (n=10), and without ARF (n=22). Chest radiographic findings such as the presence of miliary nodules, cosolidation, ground-glass opacity (GGO), pleural effusion, small calcified nodules and linear opacities were assessed, the size and profusion of nodules in each of four zones were analyzed and scored using the standard radiographs of the International Labor Organization, and the extent of consolidation and GGO were scored according to the percentage of involved lung. We compared the radiologic findings between the two groups. RESULTS: Ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and pleural effusion were seen more frequently in miliary tuberculosis patients with ARF than in those without ARF. Although the size and profusion of nodules were similar in both groups (p>0.05), consolidation and ground-glass opacity in cases of miliary tuberculosis with ARF were significantly more extensive than in those without ARF (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: GGO and consolidation were more extensive in miliary tuberculosis patients with ARF. A finding of ground-glass opacity in miliary tuberculosis patients might be an early indication of developing ARF.
Humans ; Lung ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Miliary* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

PURPOSE: To describe radiologic findings of burn-associated persistent candidemia of the thorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 42 patients with major burns in whom blood culture had shown the presence for more than 24 hours of persistent candidemia. The duration of positive culture for candidiasis ranged from two to 67 days(mean, 15 days). Radiographic(n=42) and thin-section CT findings(n=13) were retrospectively analyzed. The onset, pattern, size, distribution and persistence of parenchymal abnormalities as well as the presence or absence of pleural effusions, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and cardiomegaly were assessed. RESULTS: On chest radiographs, positive findings were noticed in 61.9%(26/42) and on thin-section CT, in 76.9%(10/13). The most frequent radiographic finding was pulmonary nodule(s), observed in 14 patients(33.3%). in 13, these were bilateral. Bronchovascular bundle thickening(n=6, 14.3%), consolidation(n=4, 9.5%), cardiomegaly(n=6, 14.3%) and pleural effusion(n=4, 9.5%) were also observed. Those lesions appeared eight to 129 days(mean, 33days) after the burn. Radiographic abnormalities persisted for seven to 115 (mean, 35) days, regardless of the treatment. Thin-section CT showed parenchymal abnormalities in 10/13 patients(76.9%) and subpleural nodules of less than 1cm in diameter and without halo in all patients. Cardiomegaly, pleural effusion and mediastinal adenopathy were observed on CT in 5(38.5%), 4(30.8%) and 2(15.4%) of the 13 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: In a high proportion of patients with burn-associated candidemia, chest radiograph and thin-section CT findings were positive. The most frequent radiographic parenchymal abnormality was multiple bilateral nodules.
Burns* ; Candidemia* ; Candidiasis ; Cardiomegaly ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax*

PURPOSE: To evaluate high-resolution CT(HRCT) findings of the miliary tuberculosis and their significancy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively studied clinical records, HRCT and chest radiographs of 14 patients with miliary tuberculosis. RESULTS: On HRCT, nodules were seen in all 14 cases, 10 of them evenly, and 4 were irregularly distributed. The size of each nodule was less than 1 mm in 7 cases, 1 --2ram in 6 cases, and 3mm or more in 1 case. The ground - glass opacity was accompanied in 8 cases, and fine reticular opacity was also noted in 8 cases. Other associated findings were pleural effusion (n=4), hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (n=3), consolidation of the exudative tuberculosis (n=4). CONCLUSION: HRCT findings of miliary tuberculosis are diffusely distributed micronodules of variable size, less than 5mm in diameter. The ground-glass opacity can be combined.
Glass ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Miliary*

Scrub typhus (Tsutsugamushi disease)is an acute febrile systemic illness caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi that is transmitted to humans by the bite of larval-stage trombiculid mites (chiggers). The authors analyzed chest radiographic findings of scrub typhus in 160 patients in Ulsan area. One hundred and eight (67.5%) of160 patients showed abnormal findings which included lung lesions in 108 patients (67.5%), cardiomegaly in 37 patients (23.1%), lymphadenopathy in 25 patients (15.6%) and pleural effusion in 11 patients (6.9%). Among the lung lesions, interstitial patterns were seen in 107 patients (66.9%), mostly fine or medium reticulonodular, and air-space patterns in 14 patients(8.8%) and combined interstitial and air-space patterns in 13 patients (8.1%). Sixty-four patients(40%) had combined chest radiographic findings. The typical chest radiographic findings of scrub typhus would be helpful in evaluation of the causes of acute febrile illness that occur during late fall in the endemic area.
Cardiomegaly ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Scrub Typhus* ; Thorax* ; Trombiculidae ; Ulsan*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of ultrasonograpy(US) as a guide in deciding drainage methods and as a prognostic factor in the prediction of pleural fibrosis, and to compare the effects of drainage methods in patients with tuberculous pleural effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 51 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion, US patterns of pleural effusion were classified according to degree of septa into three groups, into three groups, as follows: anechoic (n=5), linear septa (n=15), and honeycombing septa (n=31). US-guided drainage methods, including thoracentesis (n=17), percutaneous catheter insertion (n=12), catheter insertion with urokinase instillation (n=22) were employed. Therapeutic effects were evaluated with follow-up chest radiographs after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Three months after the procedure, 43 of 51 effusions had drained effectively. US guided drainage failed in eight patients including two of six with linear septated effusion treated with thoracentesis, four of seven with honeycomb septated effusion treated with thoracentesis, and two of six with honeycombing septated effusion treated with catheter drainage. There was no drainage failure in patients with anechoic effusions and in patients with urokinase instillation. Late effects were assessed in 39 patients after 6 months. Follow-up radiographs available in 39 patients demonstrated pleural fibrosis with intercostal space narrowing in 7 patients with honeycomb septated effusion, 3 patients with linear septated effusion, and none of the patients with anechoic effusions. CONCLUSION: The pattern of septa seen on US could be a useful factor for determining drainage methods and predicting late results in tuberculous pleural effusion. Percutaneous catheter drainage with urokinase instillation was a good drainage modality for patients with septated pleural effusions. Pleural fibrosis is more frequently induced by septated pleural effusion than by anechoic pleural effusion.
Catheters ; Drainage* ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Ultrasonography* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the characteristic findings of miliary pulmonary tuberculosis on HRCT and to evaluate the usefulness of HRCT by compareson with chest radiographs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: High resolution CT, chest radiographs and medical records were retrospectively reviewed in 10 patients with miliary pulmonary tuberculosis. We analysed the size, distribution and margin of nodules, reticular or ground-glass density, parenchymal lesion, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion on HRCT which were compared with chest radiographic findings. RESULTS: On HRCT, characteristic 1--2mm sized sharp or ill-defined nodular densities were randomly distributed throughout both lungs in all cases. In seven cases, the nodules were evenly scattered, but slightly more in upper lung zone in two cases, and in lower in one case. Only three cases revealed somewhat large and abundant nodules in posterior lung zone. There were findings of ill-defined margin of nodules in three cases, reticular densities in three cases and ground-glass opacity in two cases, all of which were observed within 4 weeks after onset of symptom. In one case, HRCT scan revealed a micronodular pattern in the lung parenchyma, even though chest radiographs of 2 days before were not obviously abnormal. HRCT was better to evaluate the margin of nodule and distribution than chest radiographs in four cases. Focal parenchymal lesion (n=5), pleural effusion(n=4), mediastinal lymphadenopathy(n=6) and ARDS(n=I) were also associated. CONCLUSION: HRCT could suggest a more specific diagnosis of miliary pulmonary tuberculosis with the above characteristic findings in appropriate clinical setting and normal or interstitial pattern of chest radiographs.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Medical Records ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*