Sonographic Indicators for Treatment Choice and Follow-Up in Patients with Pleural Effusion

Table 1

Characteristics of patients.

Sex	Male (267)	Female (111)
Age	57 ± 15.6	56.5 ± 18.3
Diagnosis			Total
Empyema	116	39	155
Parapneumonic effusion	61	30	91
Trauma	40	11	51
Others	50	31	81
Type of effusion			Total
Loculated	185	84	269
Free	82	27	109
Echo structure			Total
Complex septate	104	39	143
Complex nonseptate	48	26	74
Echogenic	35	19	54
Anechoic	80	27	107
Treatment			Total
Thoracentesis and chest tube	177	76	253
Surgery	37	8	45

Systemic autoimmune diseases, after cardiosurgery, pulmonary embolism, and abdominal pathology.