Anatomy
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This is a CT image from another patient with a large right pleural effusion

This effusion looked similar to our case on CXR, but on CT it was apparent that there was a mixture of fluid and soft tissue density present, most consistent with empyema. The reason for the pleural infection was a foreign object, which was a piece of glass. The patient had been thrown through a window with many cuts and bruises. A glass shard had entered the pleural space, leading to infection. Fluid and pus have similar density on CXR but can be distinguished on CT.