Pleural effusion and pleural-based tumors

Sonography of the pleura, pleural effusions and tumorous lesions is nowadays standard and good clinical practice. Besides the possible differentiation of pleural effusion with sonographically guided puncture, pleurisy, scars and pleural as well as peripheral lung tumors with contact to the pleura can be visualized in sonographically accessible areas(60-70% of the whole pleura). For local T-staging of peripheral lung carcinoma ultrasound is mandatory because it has the best resolution of all imaging modalities. Color Doppler and contrast media help to differentiate peripheral lung consolidations with high accuracy.