References

IJMABHR

International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research

IJMABHR

2582-8940

Anfo Publication House

390

10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.3.242-245

Comparative Analysis of Thoracic Ultrasound and Contrast-Enhanced CT in Diagnosing Pleural Empyema: A Cross Sectional Study

Rani

Mamta

Sylonia

Subhash C

Garga

Umesh C

Choudhary

Ashish

Ghosh

Sumit Kumar

1Post Graduate Student, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India 2Professor and HOD, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India 3Professor in Radiodiagnosis, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India 4Assistant Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India

27082025

6 3 242 245 12072025 13082025

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Background: Thoracic ultrasound (TUS) and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) are integral in pleural empyema diagnosis. Objective: To compare diagnostic yield, accuracy, and clinical utility of TUS vs CECT in confirmed empyema. Methods: Cross-sectional study done on 80 adult patients with suspected empyema presenting to Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur Casualty, IPD or OPD. Patients underwent TUS and CECT Thorax. Sensitivity/specificity for effusion, septation, loculation, and split pleura sign were calculated. Procedural guidance, safety, cost, and time to intervention were evaluated. Results: TUS detected effusions in 98%, septations in 85%, and loculations in 83%. CECT detected septations in 60% and split pleura in 75%. Sensitivity of TUS vs CECT: effusion (98% vs 90%), septation (85% vs 60%), loculation (83% vs 65%). TUS enabled bedside drainage in 92% and avoided CECT in 60% of patients. Conclusion: TUS demonstrated superior sensitivity for internal septations and loculations and provides real time, radiation free, cost effective bedside guidance. CECT is complementary for anatomical delineation and surgical planning.

EmpyemaThoracic ultrasoundComputed tomographyPleural LoculationDrainage guidance

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