Examinations of Multi-Positional CT Pleurography in 57 Cases with Non-Encysted Pleural Effusion

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of multi-positional CT pleurography (MP-CTP). Methods: On the basis of ordinary CT pleurography (CTP),this study applied additional methods such as multi-positional CT scanning and increasing the volume of pleural effusion,high resolution CT on localised lesion. Perspective studies on 57 cases of non-encysted pleural effusion were compared with the same ones using ordinary CTP. Results: In 54 cases with exudative effusion,all lesions detected by CTP were demonstrated by MP-CTP as well,and MP-CTP detected more additional lesions,especially nodules on anterior and lateral pleura,irregular thickening of pleura and pleural adhesion. In 31 cases with malignant effusion,it was found by MP-CTP that 20 cases with pleural nodules,15 cases with irregular pleural thickening and 8 cases with pleural adhesion. While in 23 cases with benign effusion,it was 5 cases,4 cases and 14 cases correspondently. Conclusion: MP-CTP increases the positive finding of pleural lesions and also provides the initial differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion.