Thoracic ultrasound for pleural effusion in the intensive care unit: a narrative review from diagnosis to treatment

Table 3 Ultrasound scan to define the nature of pleural effusion

	Exudate	Transudate	Hemothorax	Empyema	Malignant effusion
Internal echogenicity: Anechoic Complex non-septated Complex septated	Septation, non -septated or anaechoic	Anechoic	Hyperechogenic	Often septated	Complex septation, non-septated
Echogenicity: Homogeneity or not	Homogeneity or not	Not	Homogeneity	Homogeneity	Homogeneity
Pleural thickness	Thickened	Normal	Thickness	Thickness	Irregular pleural thickness
Other findings	Based on the etiologies	General bilaterally, echocardiography findings	Pneumothorax, atelectasis, consolidation	Pulmonary consolidation and air bronchograms	Liver metastasis; presence of pleural or diaphragmatic nodules

ISSN: 1364-8535