Ultrasound examination allows the diagnosis of many lung diseases and traumatic complications of the chest without exposing the patient to X-rays. Ultrasound examination uses the phenomenon of the reflection of ultrasound waves from the tissues in order to visualize them. This method can be safely used in the diagnosis of lungs in pregnant women and young children.
Indications for ultrasound of the lungs and pleura
chest injuries,
chronic cough
pain in the chest,
breathing problems, frequent shortness of breath,
hemoptysis.
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What does an ultrasound of the lungs and pleura show?
Ultrasound examination allows for the detection of pathological conditions such as:
pneumothorax,
the presence of an increased amount of fluid in the pleural cavity,
pneumonia,
pleurisy,
pleural adhesions,
lung abscess, pleural empyema,
pulmonary edema, e.g. in the course of chronic heart failure,
interstitial lung diseases,
pulmonary embolism.
Limitations of lung ultrasound
Ultrasound allows the assessment of the pleura and superficial parts of the lungs. To visualize the changes located in the deep parts of the lungs, it is necessary to take an X-ray or computed tomography.
How is the ultrasound of the lungs and pleura?
During the examination, the patient is lying down. The chest must be completely exposed. The doctor covers the surface of the patient's skin with a special gel and then applies the ultrasound head. The tissue image is observed on the monitor screen. The examination is painless and takes about 15-20 minutes.
What does the doctor assess during an ultrasound examination?
Everyone's lungs are surrounded by the pulmonary pleura, the parietal pleura, and a small amount of fluid between these membranes, which reduces friction when lung volume changes during breathing. The lungs are physiologically filled with air, therefore ultrasound diagnostics of the lungs is based on the interpretation of the so-called artifacts, i.e. images obtained as a result of the passage of ultrasonic waves through media with different wave resistance. The pleura is visible on ultrasound as a linear hyperechoic band separating the rib cage from the lung parenchyma. The doctor places the transducer in successive intercostal spaces, assessing the presence of individual artifacts, e.g.
the slipping symptom - this artifact arises as a result of the physiological movement of the pulmonary pleura in relation to the parietal pleura during changes in the lung volume,
lung point - a borderline place between the sliding symptom and the pneumothorax area (the presence of a lung point confirms the presence of a pneumothorax),
line artifacts A, B, Z.
Frequently asked questions about pleura (lung) ultrasound:
Disturbing symptoms that should be checked in ultrasound of the lungs include: chronic cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, breathing problems, traumatic conditions of the chest and hemoptysis. Ultrasound is an easily accessible and safe examination that does not expose the patient to X-rays. Ultrasound examination can be performed in young children and in pregnant women.
Ultrasound enables the assessment of the pleura and peripheral parts of the lungs. In the range available in the examination, the doctor can detect: pleurisy and pneumonia, interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, presence of pleural adhesions, pleural empyema, lung abscess. In order to extend the diagnostics with changes located in the deeper regions of the lungs, it is recommended to take an X-ray of the lungs or computed tomography.
The patient is asked to lie down and expose the chest. The doctor covers the surface of the patient's skin with a special gel and then applies the ultrasound head. The image of the pleura and lungs in the range available in the examination is displayed on the monitor screen. The ultrasound is painless and takes about 15-20 minutes.
