Final answer:
Thoracentesis is a medical procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space. It is commonly performed to diagnose and treat conditions such as pleural effusion or pneumothorax.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thoracentesis is a medical procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest wall. It involves inserting a needle or tube through the chest wall to drain the fluid or air. The most common cause for performing thoracentesis is to diagnose and treat conditions such as pleural effusion (fluid accumulation), pneumothorax (air leakage into the pleural space), or to obtain a sample for analysis.
Chest X-ray findings in these conditions can vary. For pleural effusion, it may show an opaque area indicating fluid accumulation. The pneumothorax may show that the lung edge shifted away from the chest wall due to air accumulation. The thoracentesis procedure involves the patient sitting upright or lying on their side. The healthcare provider will clean and numb the chest area, then insert a needle or tube to drain the fluid or air. The procedure usually takes about 10 to 30 minutes.