Question

Pleural effusion in the neonate on CXR:

a) Is always indicative of heart failure
b) Is a rare finding and requires immediate surgery
c) May be seen in a variety of conditions including infection and malignancy
d) Is an absolute indication for thoracotomy

Answer 1

Pleural effusion in neonates seen on a CXR can result from a variety of conditions, not exclusively heart failure, and does not always necessitate immediate thoracotomy. Option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pleural effusion in the neonate on a chest X-ray (CXR) may be seen in a variety of conditions including infection and malignancy. It is not always indicative of heart failure, nor is it an absolute indication for thoracotomy. While pulmonary edema is a common symptom of heart and/or kidney failure, pleural effusion in neonates can also be related to other conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome in cases where premature babies are born before the production of sufficient pulmonary surfactant by type II cells.

Furthermore, conditions such as pneumonia can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs as well, as evidenced by the presence of shadows or opaque patches on CXRs. Immediate surgery is not invariably required, and the decision to perform surgery is based on the underlying cause and the clinical condition of the neonate.