Question 5 - Single Best Answer
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Left pleural effusion
CORRECT!
Free pleural fluid collects in the dependent portions of the pleural space. In upright films, these dependant portions are at the bases of the lung. As little as 25mL of fluid may be seen on lateral film, but may take up to 200-300mL of fluid to see blunting of the lateral costophrenic angle on a PA film.