Abstract
Ultrasonography of the thorax has become a more recognized tool in pulmonary medicine,
thanks to continuing clinical research that has proven its many valuable roles in
the day-to-day management of pulmonary and pleural diseases. Ultrasound examination
is a cost-effective imaging modality that permits the pulmonologist to obtain information
about the pathologies in the thorax without the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation,
providing the examiner with real-time and immediate results. Its ease of use and training
along with its portability to the patient's bedside and accurate examination of the
pleural space has allowed for safer pleural procedures such as thoracentesis, chest
tube placement, tunneled pleural catheter placement, and medical thoracoscopy. In
this review, we summarize the technique of chest ultrasonography, compare ultrasound
to other frequently used thoracic imaging modalities, and focus on its use in obtaining
pleural access while performing invasive pleural procedures.
Keywords
ultrasound - pleural effusion - thoracentesis - thoracic ultrasonography - pleural
disease - pneumothorax - chest tube
