[Pulmonary re-expansion in metastatic pleural effusions after thoracentesis: A pilot study].

Introduction: Metastatic pleural effusion is a cause of dyspnea. The American thoracic society has strongly suggested that studies evaluating thoracic ultrasonography as potentially predictive of improvment of dyspnea are needed.

Methods: We conducted a prospective monocentric observational study to assess chest ultrasound predictors of response to thoracentesis. Fifteen patients with metastatic pleural effusion were included.

Results: The initial mean VAS score was5 ± 2,9 cm. The majority of patients had pleural effusions equal to or greater than 5 intercostal spaces (EIC) in height, while 7 patients had an abnormal curvature of the hemidiaphragm (flattened or inverted).

Primary Endpoint: The volume removed was greater in the group with anechoic pleurisy compared to the group with sonographic septation, notwithstanding complex pleural effusion (non-septated, relatively hyperechoic, with some spots in the effusion). The patients with complex pleural effusions had an higher score of dyspnea.

Secondary Endpoints: The 7 patients with abnormal diaphragmatic curvature presented significant dyspnea with a pain score of approximately 7 and profuse pleurisy occupying 8 intercostal spaces in height. The effusions of those who could not normalize their curvature had a complex aspect and the volume removed was lower.

Conclusions: The ultrasound characteristics of pleural effusions seem to be predictors of improvment of dyspnea after thoracentesis. The septated and complex aspects are probably predictors of non improvment of dyspnea.