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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is The Mild Pleural Effusion Something To Worry About?

Hi. i had an chest xray done last year that revealed mild pleural effusion of lower left lung. I had no symptoms so Dr. Said it may be due to old infection. For the last two weeks, my lungs feel strange when I breathe in, so I am going to request a chest xray. Is a mild pleural efffusion in that area common and anything to worry about?
Mon, 27 Oct 2014
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on HCM.
In my opinion ultrasound examination is more accurate than chest x ray in case of pleural effusion.
Sometimes in old pleural effusion, due to healing pleural thickening occurs and this gives same x ray appearance ok effusion.
So in this case ultrasound will differentiate between effusion and thickening.
So please get done ultrasound of chest. And if effusion is present than aspiration is needed to confirm the diagnosis and starting of treatment according to the diagnosis.
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Is The Mild Pleural Effusion Something To Worry About?

Thanks for your question on HCM. In my opinion ultrasound examination is more accurate than chest x ray in case of pleural effusion. Sometimes in old pleural effusion, due to healing pleural thickening occurs and this gives same x ray appearance ok effusion. So in this case ultrasound will differentiate between effusion and thickening. So please get done ultrasound of chest. And if effusion is present than aspiration is needed to confirm the diagnosis and starting of treatment according to the diagnosis.