Do we always need computed tomography to detect and treat parapneumonic pleural effusion?

We read with interest the article by MOFFETT et al. [1] that was recently published in the European Respiratory Journal. In this retrospective analysis, conducted using two databases of 1,460 pneumonia patients enrolled from one single centre, the investigators studied the parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) linear cut-off by chest computed tomography (CCT) that indicates the need for thoracentesis. The authors concluded that patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with a PPE measuring ,2.5 cm by CCT can be managed without the need for thoracentesis [1].