Mayo Clinic proceedings
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To evaluate the clinical utility of posteroanterior chest roentgenograms after thoracentesis in the outpatient setting. ⋯ Routine performance of chest roentgenography after outpatient thoracentesis can incur substantial cost. A more selective approach to this practice is needed, both to optimize patient care and to manage limited medical resources efficiently. Postthoracentesis chest roentgenograms should be limited to patients with symptoms indicative of thoracentesis-induced pneumothorax.