Pneumothorax: evaluation by ultrasound--preliminary results.

The ultrasonographic appearance of the pleura was investigated in 20 healthy subjects and eight patients with radiologically established pneumothorax. The respiratory excursions of the visceral pleura could be demonstrated ultrasonographically in all 20 healthy patients. In addition, comet tail artifacts were regularly evoked at the boundary between the pleura and the ventilated pulmonary parenchyma. In all eight patients with pneumothorax, the pleural collection of air could be demonstrated ultrasonographically by the absence of pleural movements and comet tail artifacts. In emergency situations in which radiographs are not available or are not available quickly enough, ultrasonography can make a decisive contribution to diagnosis of pneumothorax.