Its simple Pleural Effusion.
They asked next step.
U drain the fluid under usg guidance.
After that u can send it for Cytology.
U never start antibiotics if you are about to sent cultures…so first do pleural tap then start empirical treatment…this will not alter your microbe report
Culture samples are always sent before starting antibiotics
The first step would be to drain the effusion under USG guidance
Sir, along with pleural effusion in the left lung there is an increased bronchovascular markings in both lungs. As it has been mentioned in the question the patient is intubated, it might very well be a case of VAP . And in such a case, the pleural accumulation will be empyma. This doesn’t come out through suction and aspiration as it is thick. So ICD with samples being sent along with empirical antibiotics should be given
Is this line of understanding correct sir?