The prognostic relevance of pleural effusion in patients with COVID-19 - A German multicenter study

This study evaluates the prognostic significance of pleural effusion (PE) in COVID-19 patients across thirteen centers in Germany, aiming to clarify its role in predicting clinical outcomes. In this retrospective analysis within the RACOON project (Radiological Cooperative Network of the COVID-19 pandemic), 1183 patients (29.3 % women, 70.7 % men) underwent chest CT to assess PE. We investigated PE's association with 30-day mortality, ICU admission, and the need for mechanical ventilation. PE was detected in 31.5 % of patients, showing a significant correlation with 30-day mortality (47.5 % in non-survivors vs. 27.3 % in survivors, p