Table 1 An example of a possible relationship between the patient position and the estimation of volume of pleural fluid (mL) with maximum separation at lung base (Sep—mm), assuming an increase of 1 cm from A to B
From: Lung ultrasound estimation of pleural effusion fluid and the importance of patient position
| Â | Â | (A) | Â | (B) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Balik formula [4] | Â |
| Â |
|
V (mL) = 20 × Sep (mm) |  | Supine position with a mild torso elevation of 15° |  | Semi-recumbent position (i.e., head and torso at an angle of 40°–45°) |
Sep × 20 | ≥ 15 mm | 300 mL (moderate) | 25 mm | 500 mL (large) |
Sep × 20 | ≥ 25 mm | 500 mL (large) | 35 mm | 700 mL (large?) |
