[Diagnosing pneumothorax with ultrasonography]. / Diagnóstico ecográfico del neumotórax.

The ultrasonographic diagnosis of pneumothorax is based on the analysis of artifacts. It is possible to confirm or rule out pneumothorax by combining the following signs: lung sliding, the A and B lines, and the lung point. One fundamental advantage of lung ultrasonography is its easy access in any critical situation, especially in patients in the intensive care unit. For this reason, chest ultrasonography can be used as an alternative to plain-film X-rays and computed tomography in critical patients and in patients with normal plain films in whom pneumothorax is strongly suspected, as well as to evaluate the extent of the pneumothorax and monitor its evolution.

Diagnóstico ecográfico del neumotórax / Diagnosing pneumothorax with ultrasonography

El diagnóstico ecográfico del neumotórax se basa en el análisis de artefactos. Combinando los siguientes signos: el deslizamiento pulmonar, las líneas A y B, y el punto pulmonar, es posible diagnosticar o descartar de forma segura la presencia de un neumotórax. Una ventaja fundamental de la ecografía pulmonar es su fácil acceso en cualquier situación crítica, especialmente en pacientes en la UCI. Por ello, la ecografía torácica podría utilizarse como alternativa a la radiografía simple y la TC en el paciente crítico, en pacientes con alta sospecha de neumotórax y radiografía normal, y para valorar la extensión del neumotórax y monitorizar su evolución (AU)

The ultrasonographic diagnosis of pneumothorax is based on the analysis of artifacts. It is possible to confirm or rule out pneumothorax by combining the following signs: lung sliding, the A and B lines, and the lung point. One fundamental advantage of lung ultrasonography is its easy access in any critical situation, especially in patients in the intensive care unit. For this reason, chest ultrasonography can be used as an alternative to plain-film X-rays and computed tomography in critical patients and in patients with normal plain films in whom pneumothorax is strongly suspected, as well as to evaluate the extent of the pneumothorax and monitor its evolution (AU)