Thoracentesis: Symptoms and Prediction of the Need for Therapeutic Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis: Symptoms and Prediction of the Need for Therapeutic Thoracentesis: A Prospective Observational Study

Recurrent fluid surrounding the lungs is associated with poor quality of life, the main symptom being dyspnea. These patients are in need of recurrent removal of the fluid using drainage. The mechanism causing dyspnea is not fully understood.

By using ultrasound to evaluate the movement of the diaphragm before and after removal of fluid and the patients symptoms before removal of fluid and until next removal the research group aims to clarify the temporal development in symptoms and the role of the diaphragm.

The researchers will also evaluate the ability of the pulmonologist and patient to predict when the patient will need the next removal of fluid in patients with recurrent unilateral pleural effusion.

Recurrent pleural effusion (PE) is associated with impaired quality of life, the main symptom being dyspnea. The mechanisms causing dyspnea in PE is not fully understood. These patients are in need of recurrent therapeutic thoracentesis.

By evaluating the movement of diaphragma before and after thoracentesis and measure the patients symptoms before thoracentesis and until the next thoracentesis the researchers aim to clarify the temporal development in symptoms and the role of the diaphragm.

The researchers will also evaluate the ability of the pulmonologist and patient to predict when the patient will need the next therapeutic thoracentesis in patients with recurrent unilateral pleural effusion.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Unilateral pleural effusion.
• A minimum of two thoracentesis prior to inclusion.
• Patients must be able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Bilateral pleural effusions.
• Inability to understand written or spoken Danish.