Evaluation of Transthoracic Ultrasonography in Differentiating Pleural Effusions (NCT07513909) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Evaluation of Transthoracic Ultrasonography in Differentiating Pleural Effusions
90 participantsStarted 2026-05
Plain-language summary
Pleural effusion is a condition where excess fluid builds up in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. To properly treat this condition, doctors must determine if the fluid is a "transudate" (usually resulting from systemic conditions like heart failure or liver disease) or an "exudate" (often resulting from local issues like infections, inflammation, or cancer). The standard method to classify this fluid involves inserting a needle into the chest to draw out a sample for laboratory testing, a procedure known as thoracentesis.
While laboratory fluid analysis is highly accurate, the needle procedure carries some inherent procedural risks. This observational study aims to evaluate whether non-invasive imaging tests, specifically chest ultrasound, can accurately determine if the fluid is a transudate or an exudate.
Researchers will enroll adult patients presenting with pleural effusion at Assiut University Hospital. As part of their diagnostic workup, participants will undergo a chest ultrasound and a standard diagnostic thoracentesis (fluid draw) within 24 to 48 hours of each other. The study will then evaluate the features seen on the ultrasound against the laboratory fluid analysis (the current gold standard) to see how well the non-invasive imaging performs in identifying the specific type of pleural effusion.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients aged ≥18 years of either sex
* Clinically and radiologically documented pleural effusion (confirmed by chest X-ray and/or thoracic ultrasound)
* Patients scheduled for diagnostic or therapeutic thoracentesis as part of their standard clinical care
* Ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with a history of prior pleural interventions, including chemical or surgical pleurodesis or previous chest tube insertion on the affected side
* Patients with absolute contraindications to thoracentesis (e.g., uncorrectable coagulopathy, uncooperative patients, or hemodynamic instability)
* Poor transthoracic ultrasound window preventing adequate evaluation of the pleural space (e.g., due to severe obesity, extensive subcutaneous emphysema, or chest wall deformities)
* Patients with traumatic hemothorax.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Diagnostic Accuracy of Chest Ultrasound Measured by Area Under the Curve (AUC)
Timeframe: Up to 48 hours post-enrollment (Imaging and thoracentesis are performed within 24-48 hours of each other)