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Ultrasound Animal Challenge Halloween Special – Answer

The answer to our question "What pathology of the lung resembles a ‘spider web’ on ultrasound?" is:

C) A form of complex pleural effusion

Generally, pleural effusion often presents as a hypo- or anechoic collection of fluid between the visceral and parietal pleura. However, a complex pleural effusion may appear homogeneous or heterogeneously echogenic. In this case, of a patient with staphylococcal pneumonia we are looking at a septated complex pleural effusion. You can see fibrin strands (thin hyperechoic lines) within the fluid collection. The loculations resemble a "spider web”.

Yours,
Thomas Binder and the 123sonography team

PS: If you missed the previous Animal Challenge posts you can always visit our “zoo”: