Consolidation: Atelectasis or Pneumonia?

Interpreting a consolidation pattern of the lung with a concomitant pleural effusion can sometimes be challenging.

Is it a pneumonia pattern with secondary para-pneumonic effusion, or is there a pleural effusion with secondary compressive atelectasis? Does size of each matter, or help us with the diagnosis? Are there any other secondary signs that will help us rule in an infectious process? The answer is yes!

Please check out this great screencast by Dr. Yves Landry, critical care fellow (PGY-5) from Western University on comparing pleural effusion to consolidation size, and secondary signs of an infectious process.