The knowledge of ultrasonography (US) in the chest, especially for noncardiac structures,
has significantly improved in the recent years beyond the diagnosis of collection
in the pleural cavity and for evaluation of superficial chest masses.[[1]] Previously, it was thought that air-filled structures such as lungs prevent imaging
of the chest beyond the chest wall. However, chest sonography has evolved. The artifacts
from the air in the lung and the pleural interface help in diagnosing the pathologies.
Among the pathologies, identification of pneumothorax in critical care or emergency
department is the most important application.[[2]] Usually, a high-frequency probe is chosen and the scan is performed in the upper
three intercostal spaces in comparison to the contralateral chest. Various signs to
diagnose pneumothorax include absent lung sliding sign, absent granular appearance
on M mode, broadening distance between the pleural line and A-lines, and loss of comet
tail artifacts/B-lines.[[3]],[[4]],[[5]]
The pleural reflection is identified as a prominent echogenic line, and the lung beneath
is seen sliding with respiration. If this is absent, then it is called as “absent
lung sliding sign.” On M-mode, the region of the lung appears granular, but this appearance
is lost in cases of pneumothorax (and few other pathologies) and only a series of
straight lines appear. This is called “barcode” sign. The A-lines are normal horizontal
lines which are parallel to the echogenic pleural reflection and these are absent
or the distance between the pleural reflection and normal A-lines increases in cases
of pneumothorax. The other line described is the B-lines which are normal comet tail
artifacts (perpendicular to the pleural reflection). These are absent in pneumothorax.
Other pathologies that can be identified on US include consolidation of lungs and
interstitial edema/severe interstitial diseases although the accuracy is not as good
as high-resolution computed tomography. The lung US is not without pitfalls. Presence
of bullae, severe emphysema, pleurodesis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome
can mimic pneumothorax on ultrasound. Nevertheless, the role of US will definitely
be significant in critically ill patients especially in ruling out or ruling in pneumothorax
and radiologists should be aware of the various signs.
