Ultrasonic signs of pneumothorax: preliminary work.
Ultrasonography is considered to have limited application in respiratory diseases because air reflects sound waves. Twenty-four patients with radiologically confirmed pneumothorax and 100 healthy subjects underwent sonography. In all normal subjects, the hyperechoic pulmonary interface showed respiratory motions termed the "gliding sign" with some comet-tail artifacts. Sonographic signs were shown in all pneumothoraces: disappearance of the gliding sign and no comet tails. The extent of collapse cannot be evaluated, but it is possible to determine its area in partial pneumothorax (N = 5). The follow-up (N = 8) showed the reappearance of the gliding sign. Ultrasonography may be helpful in diagnosing pneumothorax in certain cases.
Targhetta
R
R
Department of Internal and Pulmonary Medicine, Montpellier Nimes University Hospital, France.
Bourgeois
J M
JM
Chavagneux
R
R
Coste
E
E
Amy
D
D
Balmes
P
P
Pourcelot
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography