Pleural Effusion

“Prevalence:

• Isolated congenital chylothorax is found in about 1 in 10,000 births.

Ultrasound Diagnosis:

• • Usually presents with polyhydramnios at around 26 weeks’ gestation.
  • Unilateral (25% of cases) or bilateral anechoic area surrounding the lung. Subjectively classified as mild, moderate or severe and in the latter case if unilateral there is mediastinal shift.
  • In half of the cases the effusion is isolated and in the other half there is associated hydrops with skin edema and / or ascites.” [Source]

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