Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Evaluation of Pleural Effusion: A Pictorial Essay.

B-mode ultrasound (B-US) is the standard imaging modality to evaluate pleural effusion. The value of B-US for assessing the malignancy of a pleural effusion (PE) is limited. For this purpose, computed tomography (CT) and thoracoscopy are the methods of choice to evaluate an effusion. The aim of this Pictorial Essay is to demonstrate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a method in addition to B-US and CT for the evaluation of PE taking into account the clinical background. The characteristic patterns of pleural pathologies, effusion morphology, and associated lung parenchymal consolidations are presented.