IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Pleural effusion - supine

Case contributed by Paul Heyworth
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Severe pancreatitis. Intubated and ventilated in ICU. X-ray requested for: 1) assessment of NGT position 2) changes in air entry on the right side.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Male

Supine position

x-ray

NGT, ETT, right sided PICC and left CVL are in appropriate position. Right CVL tip projected at the level of the right proximal clavicle. 

Obscuration of the right heart border is favored to be due to rotation. Lungs are clear. Veiling opacity of the left hemithorax is in keeping with a left sided pleural effusion. 

ct

Moderate left sided pleural effusion with mild left lower lobe atelectasis confirmed on CT. Postsurgical changes within the abdomen and large peripancreatic collection.

Case Discussion

On supine projections, pleural effusions produce a "veiling opacity", which is due to pleural fluid preferentially collecting posteroinferiorly in the pleural space. On erect films, pleural effusions are most commonly a basal opacity with a meniscus. 

Other causes of a veiling opacity include left upper lobe collapse.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.