Pleural Ultrasonography versus Chest Radiography for the Diagnosis of Pneumothorax

Key Messages

• Pleural ultrasound is less sensitive than previously reported but remains superior to chest radiograph for detection of pneumothorax in the trauma and critical care populations.

• Training and familiarity with bedside ultrasound techniques may provide better accuracy, as appeared with the emergency physician performance.

• High-resolution linear probe gives higher accuracy for the sliding pleura sign.

• Ultrasound is convenient, is a readily available bedside procedure, is easy to learn, is accurate for diagnosing pneumothorax, and avoids patient exposure to ionizing radiation.

References:

Saadah Alrajab, Asser M Youssef, Nuri I Akkus, Gloria Caldito

Pleural Ultrasonography versus Chest Radiography for the Diagnosis of Pneumothorax Review of the Literature and Meta-analysis

Crit Care. 2013;17(5)

Tags: emergency ultrasound, major trauma, pneumothorax, thoracostomy, ultrasound