Imaging of small amounts of pleural fluid. Part two - physiologic pleural fluid

Abstract

Background. There are only a few articles reporting the possibility of radiographic and sonographic detection of physiologic pleural fluid in healthy individuals. In the last decade the advent of sonographic equipments enables the detection of small amounts of physiologic pleural fluid in about 20% of healthy individuals. In certain physiologic conditions (i.e. pregnancy) the physiologic pleural fluid could be detected more frequently by chest ultrasonography.

Conclusions. A positive result, if detected, should not be taken as a sign of the occult thoracic disease.