title: Ultrasound M-mode assessment of diaphragmatic kinetics by anterior transverse scanning in healthy subjects.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to set an effective standardized method to assess diaphragmatic kinetics by ultrasound. Forty healthy volunteers were submitted to a B- and M-mode ultrasound study using a convex transducer positioned in the subcostal anterior area for transverse scanning. Ultrasound examination was completed in 38/40 cases (95%), spending on average <10 min for examination. The resting and forced diaphragmatic excursions were 18.4 ± 7.6 and 78.8 ± 13.3 mm, respectively, unrelated to demographic or anthropometric parameters: intraobserver variability on three successive measurements resulted in 6.0% and in 3.9%, respectively. An inexperienced sonographer completed the ultrasound examination in 37/40 cases, spending on average >15 min, with significant, although marginal, interobserver variability (31.9% and 14.7% for resting and forced diaphragmatic excursion, respectively). Bedside ultrasonography by an anterior subcostal transverse scanning on semi-recumbent patient proves to be a safe, feasible, reliable, fast, relatively easy and reproducible way to assess diaphragm movement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. americotesta@gmail.com
authors.forename: Americo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soldati
authors.forename: Rosangela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giannuzzi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berardi
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Portale
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gentiloni Silveri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D013147:Spirometry; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography