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A 47-year-old male asked:
87 year old male in hospital getting better with fluid build up. latest chest x-ray showing - improved aeration of left lung base. small left plural effusion. now does a thoracentesis necessary for this? lung doc says may be not. but hospital prefers?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Hiep Leanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 44 years experience
As I answered previously, if the etiology of the pleural effusion is not clear, thoracentesis may be indicated. I do not have enough information to make the diagnosis. However, if this patient has congestive heart failure or pneumonia and he's improved with treatment (either with diuresis or antibiotic therapy) and the left pleural effusion is small, there is no need for thoracentesis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 11, 2021
Dr. Silviu Pasniciucanswered
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Different views. In general hospitals are not getting paid by insurances for early readmissions and their approach is now to treat proactively any possibility that patients will decompensate fast, once discharged. The lung doc does not feel a thoracentesis is absolutely needed for diagnostic and/or treatment purposes at this time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Nov 11, 2021
Last updated Nov 11, 2021
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