%0 Journal Article
%T Ultrasound-Assisted and Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis: An Educational Review.
%A Boccatonda A
%A Baldini C
%A Rampoldi D
%A Romani G
%A Corvino A
%A Cocco G
%A D'Ardes D
%A Catalano O
%A Vetrugno L
%A Schiavone C
%A Piscaglia F
%A Serra C
%J Diagnostics (Basel)
%V 14
%N 11
%D 2024 May 29
%M 38893651
%F 3.992
%R 10.3390/diagnostics14111124
%X Thoracentesis is one of the most important invasive procedures in the clinical setting. Particularly, thoracentesis can be relevant in the evaluation of a new diagnosed pleural effusion, thus allowing for the collection of pleural fluid so that laboratory tests essential to establish a diagnosis can be performed. Furthermore, thoracentesis is a maneuver that can have therapeutic and palliative purposes. Historically, the procedure was performed based on a physical examination. In recent years, the role of ultrasound has been established as a valuable tool for assistance and guidance in the thoracentesis procedure. The use of ultrasound increases success rates and significantly reduces complications. The aim of this educational review is to provide a detailed and sequential examination of the procedure, focusing on the two main modalities, the ultrasound-assisted and ultrasound-guided form.