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Sonographic detection of physiologic pleural fluid in normal pregnant women

Sonographic detection of physiologic pleural fluid in normal pregnant women Purpose This prospective study was conducted to determine the normal incidence of a small amount of pleural fluid in healthy pregnant women on sonography. Methods Chest sonography to detect pleural fluid was performed in 47 pregnant volunteers, first with the subjects leaning on 1 elbow (the “elbow position”) and then with subjects in a sitting position. A 9–12‐MHz linear‐array probe was used. If the result of this first examination was positive (showing a 2‐mm or thicker anechoic layer), the subject was rescanned with a 3–6‐MHz large‐radius curved‐array probe. Results A thin layer of fluid with a typical wedge‐shaped appearance was visible in the pleural cul de sac space of 28/47 (59.5%) pregnant volunteers, on both sides in 18/47 (38.3%) and unilaterally in 10/47 (21.2%). The mean (± standard deviation) thickness of fluid layer (mean of measurements obtained in both positions) was 2.9 ± 1.1 mm (range, 1.8–6.4 mm). The number of pregnant women with visible pleural fluid was the same regardless of the fetus' sex, but the difference in fluid layer thickness between the 2 groups was statistically significant (by the t‐test, p < 0.05). A fluid layer thicker than 3 mm was easily detected with the 3–6‐MHz abdominal curved‐array probe in 7/47 (15%) women. Conclusions Small amounts of pleural fluid can be visualized by chest sonography in healthy pregnant women. This result, if isolated, should not be taken as a sign of occult thoracic disease. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 33:63–66, 2005 http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Clinical Ultrasound Wiley

Sonographic detection of physiologic pleural fluid in normal pregnant women

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References (19)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0091-2751
eISSN
1097-0096
DOI
10.1002/jcu.20090
pmid
15674834
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose This prospective study was conducted to determine the normal incidence of a small amount of pleural fluid in healthy pregnant women on sonography. Methods Chest sonography to detect pleural fluid was performed in 47 pregnant volunteers, first with the subjects leaning on 1 elbow (the “elbow position”) and then with subjects in a sitting position. A 9–12‐MHz linear‐array probe was used. If the result of this first examination was positive (showing a 2‐mm or thicker anechoic layer), the subject was rescanned with a 3–6‐MHz large‐radius curved‐array probe. Results A thin layer of fluid with a typical wedge‐shaped appearance was visible in the pleural cul de sac space of 28/47 (59.5%) pregnant volunteers, on both sides in 18/47 (38.3%) and unilaterally in 10/47 (21.2%). The mean (± standard deviation) thickness of fluid layer (mean of measurements obtained in both positions) was 2.9 ± 1.1 mm (range, 1.8–6.4 mm). The number of pregnant women with visible pleural fluid was the same regardless of the fetus' sex, but the difference in fluid layer thickness between the 2 groups was statistically significant (by the t‐test, p < 0.05). A fluid layer thicker than 3 mm was easily detected with the 3–6‐MHz abdominal curved‐array probe in 7/47 (15%) women. Conclusions Small amounts of pleural fluid can be visualized by chest sonography in healthy pregnant women. This result, if isolated, should not be taken as a sign of occult thoracic disease. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 33:63–66, 2005

Journal

Journal of Clinical Ultrasound – Wiley

Published: Feb 1, 2005

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