Ultrasonic signs of pneumothorax: Preliminary work

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Abstract
Ultrasonography is considered to have limited application in respiratory diseases because air reflects sound waves. Twenty‐four patients with radiologically confirmed pneumothorax and 100 healthy subjects underwent sonography. In all normal subjects, the hyperechoic pulmonary interface showed respiratory motions termed the “gliding sign” with some comet‐tail artifacts. Sonographic signs were shown in all pneumothoraces: disappearance of the gliding sign and no comet tails. The extent of collapse cannot be evaluated, but it is possible to determine its area in partial pneumothorax (N = 5). The follow‐up (N = 8) showed the reappearance of the gliding sign. Ultrasonography may be helpful in diagnosing pneumothorax in certain cases. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.