Real-Time-Ultraschalltomographie von Pleuraergüssen und pleuranahen intrathorakalen Raumforderungen

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Abstract
Patients [106] with pleural effusions or pleural opacities suggesting fluid were evaluated in a prospective study by B-mode real-time sonography and radiography. Some cases [41] were first investigated by ultrasound, 65 by the conventional erect roentgenogram. The correct diagnosis of pleural fluid was made by ultrasound in 95.3% and by radiologic examination in 86.8% of the cases. Radiography failed to distinguish between pleural effusion and solid pleural thickening in 7.5%, sonography in 1.9% of the cases. In 8 patients with normal roentgenograms small epidiaphragmal pleural effusions were detected by ultrasound. In pleural effusion diagnosis sonography was superior to the conventional radiologic technique in sensitivity and in diagnosing the consistency. The value of the ultrasonic method in establishing the quality of intrathoracic masses adjacent to the pleura and in sonographically guided needle puncture is emphasized.