ULTRASONIC SIGNS OF PNEUMOTHORAX - PRELIMINARY WORK

Ultrasonography is considered to have limited application in respirato ry diseases because air reflects sound waves. Twenty-four patients wit h radiologically confirmed pneumothorax and 100 healthy subjects under went sonography. In all normal subjects, the hyperechoic pulmonary int erface showed respiratory motions termed the ''gliding sign'' with som e comet-tail artifacts. Sonographic signs were shown in all pneumothor aces: 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 d iagnosing pneumothorax in certain cases.