Description
A pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural
space. It is a relatively common finding in clinical practice.
The diagnostic approach to the patient presenting with
a pleural effusion is aimed at defining the effusion as a
transudate or an exudate. This review summarises the initial
assessment and investigation of pleural effusions diagnosed
during the acute medical take, and who should be referred for
specialist advice. In addition, recent developments, including
the measurement of NT-proBNP levels and diagnostic
markers for mesothelioma, are presented.
