Ultrasonographic Applications in the Thorax

Abstract

Rapid developments and increasing technological knowledge have changed perspectives on ultrasonography. Previously, ultrasonography was used to evaluate chest wall pathologies, to distinguish between pleural effusion and consolidation, to evacuate pleural effusion, or to evaluate diaphragm movement. Today, it is also used in a wide range of pleural and parenchymal diseases. Ultrasonography is not just used in the emergency department and the intensive care units. It is also utilized in many clinical branches dealing with the respiratory system—due to its ease of use, fast access, price advantage, non-radiation exposure, higher diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity in many clinical situations—and has become a part of the examination. In this review, we have assessed not just transthoracic ultrasonography but also more focal and targeted sonographic applications, such as the endobronchial ultrasound and esophageal ultrasound.

Comparison between Lung Ultrasonography, Plain X-ray, and Computed Tomography in Acute Bronchiolitis

“…LUS has shown to be a helpful diagnostic tool for a wide range of cardiopulmonary disorders (2) . LUS is particularly useful because it is a quick, portable, repeatable, and non-ionizing application of echography (3) . Other diagnostic methods that don't include ionising radiation should be considered in order to lower the risk of cancer in young individuals (4) .…”