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[Sonographic findings in interstitial lung diseases]
S Wohlgenannt1, O Gehmacher, U Gehmacher
1Krankenhaus der Stadt Hohenems, Interne Abteilung.
Ultraschall in Der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany : 1980)
|March 20, 2001
Summary
Thoracic sonography can detect small pleural effusions and subpleural infiltrations in interstitial lung disease, complementing traditional imaging. This method aids in monitoring therapy for these lung conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Thoracic sonography is underutilized for interstitial lung disease due to perceived technical limitations.
- Evaluating pleural and subpleural changes is crucial for diagnosing and managing interstitial lung disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of thoracic sonography in detecting pleural and subpleural alterations in patients with interstitial lung disease.
- To compare sonographic findings with conventional imaging techniques like X-ray and CT scans.
Main Methods:
- Sonography of the thorax was performed on 24 patients diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (age 25-70).
- Analysis focused on identifying pleural effusions, pleural fragmentations, subpleural infiltrations (>2 mm), and pleural nodules.
Main Results:
- Sonographic alterations were detected in 17 out of 24 patients (71%).
- Specifically, 6 patients had small pleural effusions missed by X-ray, 14 showed pleural fragmentations, and 10 had subpleural infiltrations.
- In sarcoidosis patients, sonography revealed alterations in 4 out of 9, including those with stage I disease.
Conclusions:
- Thoracic sonography is an effective complementary tool for diagnosing interstitial lung disease.
- It excels at detecting small pleural effusions and subpleural infiltrations, offering a valuable method for therapy monitoring.