Ultrasound and pleural pathology: a great ally

Abstract

Ultrasound has proven to be an effective, reliable, and economical technique for studying chest pathologies. It is an ideal technique for the study of pleural pathology, comprising liquid, solid, and air. Numerous studies have shown that pleural effusion can be detected, characterized, and quantified. It is also very useful in the diagnosis of pneumothorax in severe or traumatic patients, without the need to use other techniques that can delay diagnosis. In solid pleural pathology, it may play a role in screening and guiding biopsies. Finally, ultrasound is the technique of choice for guiding interventional procedures such as thoracocentesis and pleural biopsy.

Keywords

• Chest ultrasound. Pneumothorax. Pleural effusion. Pleural ultrasound.