Table 4.

Biochemical and radiological markers supporting the diagnosis of pleural infection [4, 10, 45]

Biochemical	Radiological
Serum	CT
▪ CRP > 100  ▪ Albumin < 30  ▪ Platelets > 400	▪ Pleural contrast enhancement  ▪ Pleural microbubbles  ▪ Increased attenuation of extra-pleural fat  ▪ Pleural fluid volume ≥ 400 ml
Pleural fluid	Ultrasound
▪ pH < 7.2  ▪ Glucose ≤ 4  ▪ LDH ≥ 900	▪ Presence of septations and/or loculations  ▪ Echogenicity