Q: A follow-up CXR despite an uncomplicated ultrasound (US) guided thoracentesis in an unventilated patient should be performed as occult pneumothorax (PTX) may occur?
A) True
B) False
Answer: B
In an uncomplicated US-guided thoracentesis, chances of PTX are extremely low, particularly in an unventilated patient. Said that it should be performed if a patient displays any symptoms or if the air is noted in a syringe while performing thoracentesis. It is a good practice to quickly scan a patient's chest with an ultrasound probe after the procedure to establish the sliding of pleurae. Also, documenting post-procedure US images in the medical chart is desirable.
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References:
1. Thomsen TW, DeLaPena J, Setnik GS. Videos in clinical medicine. Thoracentesis. N Engl J Med 2006; 355:e16.
2. Petersen WG, Zimmerman R. Limited utility of chest radiograph after thoracentesis. Chest 2000; 117:1038.
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