There are several ways to differentiate pleural pericardial effusions. This video goes over one method using a parasteral long axis view. It highlights some anatomy that isn’t always mentioned when reviewing echocardiography texts.
Plus it allowed me to test drive a new program called Doodlecast Pro. Let me know what you think for this format.
Congratulations for explanation and doodlecast looks like a good program…do you used camtasia studio?.
I add one more thing: look for pleural effusion with coronal view of left upper quadrant!…if still in doubt! but of course can coexist pleural and pericardial effusions.
Best
Pablo
Thanks, I agree the left coronal view is very helpful in differentiating pleural vs pericardial effusion.
I have not used Camtasia but I do use Screenflow which is similar and like it.
Hello Jason. I have one very interesting case about pericardial vs effusion. It seems in all views like pericardial…in subcostal view measure closely to RV about 2 cm…but, have pleural effusion and the data to distinguish was IVC that was not enlarged and a fine line of pericardial separation with real minimal pericardial effusion and a large pleural effusion. Well, I share with you and I wait your comments. I have the videos in this link.
http://sdrv.ms/QguxVW
I have a lot of practice in critical echo (I´m intenvisit from Argentina) and sometimes some doubts…so…I like to know your email to share with you.
Best
Pablo
Great images and interesting study. There is both a pericardial and pleural effusion in the study. The first clip has the large pleural effusion with ateletatic lung in view, where it wiggles in the effusion, some call it the “jellyfish sign”.
There are a couple of clips were it appears that there may be some fibrotic bands in the pericardial effusion, clip 4. This raises the concern for an infectious or oncologic etiology with possibly long standing effusions.
Clip 3 has some right atrial collapse presumable during diastole which also raises the concern for tamponade physiology. This could be increased if there are fibrotic bands in the pericardial effusion with a possible loculated effusion.
My email is jtn@takeokun.com