Abstract

 

Thorax ultrasonography is useful in defining the nature of the pleural effusions. Anechoic effusions could be either a transudate or an exudate.In this study we assessed fifty patients with pleural effusions; 64 % of the effusions which had echogenic winding bands were tuberculous pleuritis, 20% parapneumonic and 16 % malignant effusions. This ultrasonographycally echogenic bands were statistically related with tuberculous pleuritis(p < 0.05). Comparison of total protein, albumin, glucose and adenosine deaminase levels of the 25 patients' fluid in the anechoic group with the 25 patients in the echogenic group was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). These results suggested that ,some other factors may take place in the etiology of this echogenic bands rather than high levels of protein. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1(1): 33-38,1994]

Key Words : Thorax US,pleural effusion