Radiographic evaluation of the pleural fluid accumulation rate after pneumonectomy

PurposeUnderstanding the radiographic appearance and normal rate of fluid accumulation after pneumonectomy is important in order to detect postoperative complications.MethodsUpright posterior–anterior chest radiographs of 94 postpneumonectomy patients were assessed for the rate of pleural fluid accumulation as a percentage of hemithorax volume.ResultsOverall median time to 70% hemithoracic opacification was 3 days and mean time was 27 days. The median time to 100% opacification was 66 days and mean time was 96 days.ConclusionThe median time to 70% hemithoracic opacification postpneumonectomy is 3 days, while median time to 100% opacification was 66 days.