Table 3 Diagnostic performance of physical examination and lung ultrasound for detection of pleural effusion
Sensitivity (95% CI) | Specificity (95% CI) | Positive likelihood ratio (95% CI) | Negative likelihood ratio (95% CI) | Accuracy (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall physical examination | 44.0% (30.0–58.8%) | 88.9% (65.3–98.6%) | 3.96 (1.03–15.18) | 0.63 (0.47–0.85) | 55.9% (44.3–67.9%) |
Individual physical examination findings | |||||
Decreased tactile fremitus | 68.0% (53.3–80.5%) | 83.3% (58.6–96.2%) | 4.08 (1.43–11.7) | 0.38 (0.24–0.60) | 72.1% (59–9-82.3%) |
Dullness to percussion | 94.0% (83.5–98.8%) | 16.7% (3.6–41.4%) | 1.13 (0.91–1.40) | 0.36 (0.08–1.62) | 73.5% (61.4–83.5%) |
Asymmetric chest wall expansion | 18% (8.6–31.4%) | 94.4% (72.7–99.9%) | 3.24 (0.44–23.81) | 0.87 (0.73–1.03) | 38.2% (26.7–50.8%) |
Egophony | 38.8% (25.2–53.8%) | 88.9 (65.3–98.6%) | 3.49 (0.90–13.50) | 0.69 (0.52–0.91) | 52.2% (39.7–64.6%) |
Bedside ultrasound examination | |||||
Seated (posterior exam) | 92% (80.8–97.8%) | 94.4% (72.7–99.9%) | 16.6 (2.5–111.4) | 0.08 (0.03–0.22) | 92.7% (83.7–97.6%) |
Supine (coronal views) | 98% (89.4–100%) | 94.4 (72.7–99.9%) | 17.6 (2.6–118.6) | 0.02 (0.00–0.15) | 97.1% (89.8–99.6%) |