Thoracentesis, Pleural Biopsy, and Thoracic Ultrasound
General description of procedure, equipment, technique Thoracentesis is a percutaneous procedure in which a needle or catheter is passed into the pleural space for evacuation of pleural fluid. Most pleural effusions with a depth of greater than 1 cm (as determined by lateral decubitus chest radiography or ultrasound) may be safely tapped using a small-gauge…