[Ultrasonic diagnosis of pleurisy]

Ultrasound investigation of changes in the pleural cavity was conducted in 146 patients with infectious and infectious-allergic pleuritides, beginning with the first clinical manifestations to the outcome of the disease. The following stages were noted: thickening of the pleural layer in a limited area, sometimes of the endothoracic fascia and connective tissue layer between it and the parietal pleura; the appearance of fibrinous effusion; fluid accumulation; encapsulation and multilocular pleurisy; exudate resorption, fibrinolysis; fibrin involvement by connective tissue and formation of adhesions. Besides, an ultrasound picture of the normal chest wall and pleural cavity is presented.