The use of thoracic CT for patients presenting with a unilateral pleural effusion is well established. However, there is no consensus with regard to the inclusion of the entire abdomen and pelvis in the initial imaging protocol. In this prospective UK-based study, 249 patients presenting with a unilateral effusion had a CT thorax/abdomen/pelvis performed. The prevalence of malignancy on thoracic CT was 56% (140/249). Clinically significant findings below the diaphragm were identified in 59 patients (24%). Integrating this approach into standard practice allows more rapid identification of the primary malignancy, upstaging lesions or alternative sites for biopsy.

中文翻译：

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单侧胸腔积液的调查：最佳 CT 扫描覆盖范围是什么？

胸腔 CT 用于单侧胸腔积液的患者已被广泛认可。然而，对于在初始成像方案中包括整个腹部和骨盆，还没有达成共识。在这项基于英国的前瞻性研究中，249 名出现单侧积液的患者进行了胸部/腹部/骨盆 CT 扫描。胸部 CT 上恶性肿瘤的患病率为 56% (140/249)。在 59 名患者 (24%) 中发现了膈下有临床意义的发现。将这种方法整合到标准实践中可以更快速地识别原发恶性肿瘤、晚期病变或活检的替代部位。