John A. Betancourt-Robinson, Departamento de Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
Nicolás Bastidas, Departamento de Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
Estefan Ramos-Isaza, Departamento de Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
Ma. Fernanda Gómez-Martínez, Departamento de Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
Christian H. Garzón-Vanegas, Departamento de Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
Juan C. Aldana-Leal, Departamento de Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
Assessment of pleural effusion (PD) volume is crucial to guide clinical management and therapeutic interventions. Ultrasound has emerged as a valuable, non-invasive tool for estimating PD volume using various predictive formulas. These equations are intended to provide accurate volumetric estimates to aid clinical decision making, but there is currently no consensus on which formula performs best. The lack of standardization and variability in predictive accuracy underscore the need for comparative studies to validate these methods. Furthermore, there is an ongoing debate about the optimal timing and circumstances for the application of such specific formulas. This review highlights the importance of ultrasound in the evaluation of pleural effusion, discusses existing predictive formulas, and emphasizes appropriate use scenarios to improve patient outcomes.
Keywords: Pleural effusion. Ultrasound. Formula. Volume.
