The Rational Clinical Examination
David L. Simel, Drummond Rennie
Pleural Effusion
Camilla L. Wong, Jayna Holroyd-Leduc, Sharon E. Straus
Sections:
Patient Scenario, Why Is the Physical Examination Important in Suspected Pleural Effusion?, Causes of Pleural Effusion, How to Elicit Signs of Pleural Effusion on Physical Examination, Detecting Pleural Effusion by Chest Radiograph, Methods, Results, Accuracy of Physical Examination Findings in the Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion, Bottom Line, Scenario Resolution, References
Topics Discussed:
pleural effusion
Excerpt:
"A 74-year-old man is admitted to the hospital with a 1-week history
of dyspnea, fever, and cough. He has no history of respiratory disease
but has a 40 pack-year smoking history. His respiratory examination
reveals dullness to conventional percussion and crackles at the
left base. Pneumonia seems likely, for which there is a 20% to
40% probability of an associated pleural effusion.1 Do
physical examination findings change the likelihood that this patient
has a pleural effusion?..."
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