Lung ultrasound is a painless study that can diagnose various pathologies of the respiratory system. With the help of such a procedure, it became possible to identify as early as possible serious pathological conditions of the lungs, pleural cavities and surrounding tissues at the very beginning of the development of the process.
With this method of ultrasound, X-rays or other aggressive influences that can provoke the onset of oncological diseases are not used. This procedure is currently affordable for most patients financially.
What pathologies can be detected by this method?
Lung ultrasound reveals the following pathologies:
- unilateral and bilateral pneumonia;
- metastases in the organ;
- Presence of intravascular fluid in people with heart failure;
- metastatic lymph nodes;
- lung cancer diagnosis;
- for detecting a foreign body in an organ;
- focal pneumonia;
- peripheral tumor;
- intrathoracic recurrence;
- presence of fluid in the pleural cavity;
- monitoring the lungs during their treatment.
In addition, such a study allows you to assess the condition of organs and tissues that are located in close proximity.
Indications for prescription
Lung ultrasound is prescribed in the following cases:
- for diseases of the pleura, which include mesothelioma, empyema, and also in the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity;
- if a benign or malignant lung tumor is suspected;
- if breathing is difficult;
- when sputum appears, not associated with colds;
- thrombosis of limb veins;
- chest injury;
- fever;
- for preventive purposes.
Ultrasound of the lungs and bronchi can be done at any medical center.
Patient preparation
In order to undergo an ultrasound examination of the lungs, the patient does not need to be specially prepared for this. This procedure can be carried out at any time of the day. It is possible to take expectorants, but this point should be discussed with your doctor.
Lung ultrasound for a child also does not require specific preparation. The baby should feel comfortable, be full, not suffer from heat or cold. To do this, parents should bring water or milk with them, a diaper for the couch in the ultrasound room,disposable wipes to remove gel from baby's skin.
Procedure execution order
The main feature of this study is that the patient can lie on the couch in any position convenient for him. After he takes off his outer clothing, a special gel is applied to his chest so that the sensor of the ultrasound machine is in close contact with the skin. This sensor is installed at a right angle to the intercostal spaces and the examination begins.
When anechoic fluid is found in the pleural cavity, the patient is asked to change position so that it shifts. To obtain more accurate results, the study is carried out in the longitudinal, transverse and oblique scanning planes, applying the sensor in different ways relative to the body axis.
Is it possible to perform an ultrasound of the lungs during pregnancy? This is allowed in the third trimester, when the fetal respiratory organs are examined. In this case, their structure is assessed and their readiness to function if there is a suspicion that the child may be born prematurely. With the help of such a study, intrauterine pneumonia in the fetus is detected or completely excluded.
What should this study show?
If the doctor ordered an ultrasound of the lungs, what does this procedure show? Normally, the following structures should be viewed:
- area of loose fiber;
- external breast fascia;
- border between lung tissue and soft tissues;
- internal breast fascia;
- subcutaneous tissue;
- lung tissue;
- muscles.
The data obtained may indicate the presence of various types of abnormalities and pathologies.
Transcription of research results
A lung tumor is visible if it is adjacent to the diaphragm, and also when there is no lung tissue in the direction of the ultrasound beam between the neoplasm and the sensor. The tumor is also diagnosed when the node is immobile during breathing.
Pneumonia of the lungs is manifested by the presence of a focus with numerous air inclusions that have fuzzy and uneven contours. The neglected form of pneumonia is characterized by the fact that such inclusions are connected to each other, contributing to the appearance of purulent formations.
If a lung abscess is suspected, during examination, a suspension and a liquid cavity with air bubbles are found in the airless part of the organ. Blood vessels are not visible at all.
With pulmonary tuberculosis, there is an increase in lymph nodes located near the aorta. They have an oval appearance with a high liquid content. After a while, their echogenicity begins to increase, as a result of which they cease to be visualized.
Lung ultrasound for pneumonia is rarely used. Since it is impossible to accurately visualize infiltrative shadows with this method, this disease is diagnosed using radiography. Ultrasound is prescribed as an additional method.
Advantages and disadvantages of lung ultrasound
As alreadyIt was said that this method of diagnosing lung diseases is absolutely harmless compared to tomographic and X-ray examinations. Lung ultrasound does not use harmful beams, so it can be done countless times.
However, this procedure also has disadvantages. The study cannot show in more detail what one would like. The main disadvantage is ultrasound, which penetrates only 7 cm deep into the tissue, as a result of which it is impossible to conduct a complete study of the entire volume of the lung. Only the upper layers of the organs and the pleural cavity can be seen on the monitor.
Ultrasound generates high-frequency vibrations that allow you to view the density of internal organs. The air contained in the lungs prevents ultra frequencies from being trapped, resulting in poor visibility. Also, the ribs are an obstacle during examination, since ultrasound does not pass through the bones.
Conclusion
Thus, lung ultrasound is a very popular procedure with a fairly high efficiency in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. It is considered absolutely harmless and is prescribed even to pregnant women and seriously ill patients. Moreover, such an examination is available to almost everyone.
