Fetal Pleural Effusions

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Figure-1

📄 Report Sample Line - Fetal Pleural Effusions

Antenatal ultrasound reveals bilateral anechoic fluid collections in the pleural spaces, more prominent on the right side. The effusions cause mild compression of the adjacent lung tissue without complete lung collapse. No mediastinal shift is currently observed. Cardiac position appears central, and fetal cardiac function is preserved. No associated ascites, pericardial effusion, or subcutaneous edema is noted at this time. Amniotic fluid volume is within normal limits. No gross structural anomalies are identified in the current scan.

Conclusion: 📋 Bilateral Fetal Pleural Effusions noted. Findings are currently mild and without secondary signs of hydrops. Consideration for primary chylothorax or secondary causes such as infection or chromosomal anomaly is advised.

Recommendation: Serial ultrasounds recommended to assess progression and risk of hydrops. Consider TORCH screening, karyotyping, and fetal echocardiography if additional abnormalities arise. Monitor for associated findings such as ascites, pericardial effusion, or skin edema.

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Note: If you select English, answer all questions in English.
यदि आप हिंदी चुनते हैं, तो सभी प्रश्न हिंदी में हल करें।

1. Fetal pleural effusion on ultrasound is best described as: 1. अल्ट्रासाउंड पर भ्रूणीय प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न (फेफड़े की झिल्ली में तरल) को सबसे बेहतर कैसे वर्णित किया जाता है?
A. Echogenic mass in the lung parenchyma
B. Anechoic fluid collection in the pleural space usually surrounding the fetal lung
C. Thickened pleura with calcifications
D. Enlarged heart only

2. Bilateral fetal pleural effusions are more likely to be associated with: 2. द्विपक्षीय भ्रूणीय प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न अक्सर किससे जुड़े होने की अधिक संभावना होती है?
A. Isolated small cysts
B. Hydrops fetalis and systemic disease
C. Normal outcome always
D. Only maternal trauma

3. The most common cause of congenital fetal pleural effusion is: 3. जन्मजात भ्रूणीय प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न का सबसे सामान्य कारण क्या है?
A. Congenital chylothorax (lymphatic leak)
B. Maternal smoking only
C. Twin‑to‑twin transfusion always
D. Neural tube defect

4. A large unilateral pleural effusion may produce which ultrasound sign? 4. एक बड़ी एकतरफा प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न किस अल्ट्रासाउंड संकेत का कारण बन सकती है?
A. Mediastinal shift with compression of the contralateral lung
B. Increased fetal movements
C. Calcified pleural plaques
D. Enlarged adrenal glands only

5. Which fetal finding most strongly predicts poor prognosis in pleural effusion? 5. प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न में निम्नलिखित में से कौन‑सा भ्रूणीय लक्षण खराब पूर्वानुमान की सबसे मजबूत भविष्यवाणी करता है?
A. Associated hydrops fetalis
B. Small isolated unilateral effusion without compression
C. Maternal age over 30
D. Normal amniotic fluid volume

6. Best immediate fetal intervention for a large compressive pleural effusion is: 6. बड़ी संपीडक प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न के लिए सबसे अच्छा तात्कालिक भ्रूणीय हस्तक्षेप क्या है?
A. Ultrasound‑guided thoracocentesis (with consideration of thoracoamniotic shunt if recurrent)
B. Immediate postnatal chest X‑ray only
C. Maternal chemotherapy
D. No intervention ever

7. Which prenatal investigation helps to identify associated causes and plan management? 7. कौन‑सी प्रसवपूर्व जांच सह‑कारणों की पहचान करने और प्रबंधन की योजना बनाने में मदद करती है?
A. Fetal karyotype/microarray, infection screen (TORCH), fetal echocardiography
B. Mother's blood pressure chart only
C. Maternal shoe size
D. None — imaging is not useful

8. On ultrasound, how do you differentiate congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) from pleural effusion? 8. अल्ट्रासाउंड पर, जन्मजात फुफ्फुसीय एयरवे मेटाप्लासिया (CPAM) को प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न से कैसे अलग किया जाता है?
A. CPAM is intraparenchymal and commonly echogenic or multicystic; pleural effusion is an anechoic layer surrounding the lung
B. CPAM always appears as anechoic fluid surrounding the lung
C. They are indistinguishable on ultrasound
D. CPAM shows calcification only

9. Which finding after prenatal intervention (e.g., shunt) indicates successful decompression? 9. प्रसवपूर्व हस्तक्षेप (जैसे शंट) के बाद कौन‑सी खोज सफल डीकम्प्रेशन का संकेत देती है?
A. Reduction in pleural fluid volume with re‑expansion of the ipsilateral lung and improvement/resolution of mediastinal shift
B. Increase in pleural fluid volume only
C. New fetal ascites only
D. No change is expected

10. Key counseling point to parents about fetal pleural effusion is: 10. भ्रूणीय प्लूरल इफ्यूज़न के बारे में माता‑पिता को दिया जाने वाला प्रमुख परामर्श क्या है?
A. Prognosis depends on laterality, presence of hydrops, underlying cause and response to prenatal intervention
B. Outcome is uniformly excellent without follow‑up
C. Always recommend immediate termination
D. No need for neonatal care after birth