Percutaneous ultrasonography as imaging modality and sampling guide for pulmonologists.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ultrasound (US) imaging is becoming standard in pulmonology, primarily for pleural effusions.
• Current guidelines support US for diagnosing and managing pleural effusions.
• US-guided procedures for specimen acquisition are less common but crucial for diagnosis and staging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the expanding role of ultrasound in pulmonology.
• To emphasize the utility of US-guided biopsy for diagnosing and staging thoracic and extrathoracic lesions.
• To promote the adoption of US-guided sampling techniques.

Main Methods:

• Review of current applications of ultrasound in pulmonology.
• Discussion of indications for US-guided biopsy in thoracic oncology and extrathoracic disease staging.
• Emphasis on the diagnostic and safety benefits of US-guided fine-needle aspirations and core biopsies.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound is effective for diagnosing pleural effusions and guiding interventions.
• US-guided biopsy is crucial for staging lung tumors and diagnosing mediastinal and chest wall diseases.
• US-guided sampling of extrathoracic lesions, like lymph nodes and metastases, aids in disease staging.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound is an essential tool in modern pulmonology, extending beyond pleural effusions.
• US-guided biopsy significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy and safety for various thoracic conditions and extrathoracic metastases.
• Pulmonologists should expand their use of US-guided sampling for comprehensive patient management.