[Thoracic sonography with the rapid B picture (author's transl)].

The orienting investigation should be a compulsory component of every internist echographic status with the rapid B picture. Besides its diagnostic aspects, thoracic echography with the rapid B picture in the region of the pericardium is also of therapeutic importance for the reliable specific ultrasonic pericardial puncture for the relief a tamponading pericardial effusion. All radiological shadows which are not completely clear must be subjected to echographic assessment before proceeding to more expensive diagnostic measures. This permits the sonographic differentiation between a collection of fluid and a solid structure as far as the shadows are confined to the wall.