title: [Diagnostic value of transthoracic ultrasound compared to chest radiography in the detection of a post-interventional pneumothorax].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chest radiography is standard for the diagnosis of a pneumothorax. However, also ultrasound of the chest has considerable value in the detection of a pneumothorax. A typical sonographic feature is the lack of the lung gliding sign. Aim of our trial was to evaluate the significance of ultrasound of the chest in the diagnosis of a pneumothorax supplemented by using power colour Doppler imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following transbronchial biopsy, patients received transthoracic ultrasound of the chest for evaluation of a pneumothorax. Immediately afterwards, a chest radiograph was performed and results were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1023 patients (321 female, 702 male, median age 47 years) were examined. In 30 patients (2.9%) chest radiograph revealed a pneumothorax, while in ultrasound of the chest a pneumothorax was diagnosed in 36 of the cases. Defining chest radiography as gold standard, ultrasound of the chest had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 83% and an accuracy of 99%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transthoracic ultrasound of the chest is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of a pneumothorax. In comparison to chest radiography, it is better available and prevents administration of ionizing radiation. However, a disadvantage of ultrasound is the lack of quantification of a pneumothorax and the assessment of the indication for chest tube drainage.
authors.affiliation: Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin, Thoraxklinik am Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg. michael.kreuter@thoraxklinikheidelberg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kreuter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmitteckert
authors.forename: C-P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Heussel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D055425:Respiratory-Gated Imaging Techniques; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*