When the '''clinical history''', '''presenting signs''', '''thoracic auscultation''' and '''percussion''' of the animal suggest a pleural effusion, thoracocentesis can both '''confirm''' its presence and provide a '''specimen''' for '''examination'''. Ideally '''radiography''' (minimum of two views - lateral and dorsoventral) or '''ultrasound''' should be performed to confirm pleural space disease prior to thoracocentesis. However it can be particularly useful in the emergency patient (the dyspnoeic cat in particular) who is too unstable to undergo radiography or similar diagnostic tests as drainage of pleural fluid will both provide a preliminary diagnosis and improve clinical signs. | When the '''clinical history''', '''presenting signs''', '''thoracic auscultation''' and '''percussion''' of the animal suggest a pleural effusion, thoracocentesis can both '''confirm''' its presence and provide a '''specimen''' for '''examination'''. Ideally '''radiography''' (minimum of two views - lateral and dorsoventral) or '''ultrasound''' should be performed to confirm pleural space disease prior to thoracocentesis. However it can be particularly useful in the emergency patient (the dyspnoeic cat in particular) who is too unstable to undergo radiography or similar diagnostic tests as drainage of pleural fluid will both provide a preliminary diagnosis and improve clinical signs. |