A Pediatric Radiology textbook and Pediatric Radiology digital library
Thoracentesis
Patient preparation: check PT and PTT and platelets and Hgb, obtain informed consent, sedation per clinical service
Technique: — Sterile prep and drape, place sterile cover on transducer — Using real-time ultrasound guidance, insert a 20-22 gauge catheter into the pleural collection and aspirate the fluid — Give sample to clinical team
Images to obtain: transverse and sagittal grayscale images of chest
Looking for: needle in pleural fluid
Post procedure tasks: PA expiratory CXR to rule out pneumothorax