Question

In order to distinguish between pleural and pericardial effusions on a 2D echo it is helpful to identify the:

a) abdominal aorta
b) ascending aorta
c) transverse aorta
d) descending aorta

Answer 1

The descending aorta is the key landmark to differentiate between pleural and pericardial effusions on a 2D echo, as pleural effusions are posterior to the thoracic aorta and pericardial effusions are anterior to it.

Step-by-step explanation:

To distinguish between pleural and pericardial effusions on a 2D echo, the key anatomical landmark to identify is the descending aorta. During an echocardiographic examination, the descending aorta can act as a landmark to differentiate whether fluid is accumulating in the pleural or pericardial space. The descending aorta can be visualized in its thoracic portion as it continues close to the vertebral bodies and passes through the diaphragm at the aortic hiatus. Above the diaphragm, it is referred to as the thoracic aorta, and below it, is the abdominal aorta. A pleural effusion is located posteriorly to the descending thoracic aorta, while a pericardial effusion is observed anterior to this structure and within the pericardial sac, surrounding the heart.