A 48-year-old woman is ventilated for severe pneumonia. She has a copious left pleural effusion. Bedside ultrasound shows a complex septated effusion ...

Question

A 48-year-old woman is ventilated for severe pneumonia. She has a copious left pleural effusion. Bedside ultrasound shows a complex septated effusion with underlying consolidated lung. A chest drain is placed under ultrasound guidance in the safest position. According to the ICS FUSIC curriculum, which ultrasound sign distinguishes pleural effusion from consolidated lung?

Accepted Answer

Pleural effusion appears as an anechoic (black) or hypoechoic space between the visceral and parietal pleura that changes shape with respiration; consolidated lung appears as a tissue-like echogenicity (hepatisation) with dynamic air bronchograms (bright echogenic dots moving with respiration within the consolidation)

Answer

Both appear identical on ultrasound

Answer

Consolidated lung always appears white

Answer

Pleural effusion shows A-lines

Answer

Ultrasound cannot distinguish effusion from consolidation

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Lung Ultrasound - Effusion vs Consolidation