title: [Diagnosing pneumothorax with ultrasonography].
abstract: The ultrasonographic diagnosis of pneumothorax is based on the analysis of artifacts. It is possible to confirm or rule out pneumothorax by combining the following signs: lung sliding, the A and B lines, and the lung point. One fundamental advantage of lung ultrasonography is its easy access in any critical situation, especially in patients in the intensive care unit. For this reason, chest ultrasonography can be used as an alternative to plain-film X-rays and computed tomography in critical patients and in patients with normal plain films in whom pneumothorax is strongly suspected, as well as to evaluate the extent of the pneumothorax and monitor its evolution.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España. Electronic address: aitorlasarte@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lasarte Izcue
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Navasa Melado
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blanco Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fidalgo González
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Parra Blanco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography