Using Thoracic Ultrasound to Predict Pleurodesis Success in Malignant Pleural Effusions: a Pilot Study

Inclusion Criteria: * The participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study. * Adult male or female, aged 18 years or above. * Diagnosed with a malignant pleural effusion requiring intercostal chest drain insertion and subsequent talc slurry pleurodesis for symptom relief and/or other therapeutic purposes as part of routine clinical care. Exclusion Criteria: * Age less than 18 years. * Inability to provide informed consent * Known hypersensitivity/allergy to medical talc, or other contraindication to the administration of intrapleural talc, as determined by the responsible clinician. * Evidence of significant trapped lung that would prevent pleurodesis being performed, as determined by the clinician responsible for assessing the patient. * Expected survival of less than one month due to underlying co-morbidities.