Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: January 31, 2025

Ultrasound Assessment Of Diaphragmatic Function During Acute Exacerbation Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A

Sung Yoon Lim¹, Gajin Lim², Yeon Joo Lee¹

¹Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

|December 7, 2019

Abstract

Purpose:

Impairment of diaphragmatic function is one of the main pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is known to be related to acute exacerbation. Ultrasonography (US) allows for a simple, non-invasive assessment of diaphragm kinetics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in diaphragmatic function during acute exacerbation of COPD, by US.

Methods:

This single-center, prospective study included patients with acute exacerbation of COPD symptoms. US measurements were performed within 72 hrs after exacerbation and after improvement of symptoms. Diaphragmatic excursion and its thickening fraction (TF) were measured as markers of diaphragmatic function. TF was calculated as (thickness at end inspiration - thickness at end expiration)/thickness at end expiration.

Results:

Ten patients were enrolled. All patients were male, and the mean age was 79.8 years. The TF of the right diaphragm showed a significant increase from the initial to the follow-up values (80.1 ± 104.9 mm vs. 159.5 ± 224.6 mm, p = 0.011); however, the diaphragmatic excursion did not vary significantly between the initial and follow-up values (22 ± 6 mm vs 23 ±12 mm). The change in excursion between the stable and exacerbation periods was positively correlated with time to the next exacerbation and negatively correlated with the time taken to recover from the exacerbation.

Conclusion:

These data support the possibility that a defect in diaphragm thickening is related to acute exacerbation of COPD.

Keywords:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diaphragmatic excursion diaphragmatic thickening exacerbation ultrasonography

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Impact of Mechanical Ventilation on Diaphragm Function and Patient Outcomes

Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Impact of Mechanical Ventilation on Diaphragm Function and Patient Outcomes

Published on: November 3, 2023

The Application of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography (POCUS) in the Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in the Intensive Care Unit

The Application of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography (POCUS) in the Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in the Intensive Care Unit

Published on: December 12, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History

Assessment of Respiration

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion

The respiratory system, fundamental to life, consists of complex structures responsible for gas exchange. The percussion assessment is critical to understanding this system's health and functionality. This non-invasive assessment technique allows healthcare providers to evaluate the density or aeration of the lungs, thereby identifying potential abnormalities.
Percussion in Respiratory Assessment
Percussion evaluates underlying tissue composition with audible and tactile vibrations,...

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation

Auscultation is a crucial component of the physical assessment of the respiratory tract. It offers valuable insights into airflow through the bronchial tree and potential lung obstructions. This process involves careful listening to breath, voice, and adventitious sounds, which can reveal a wealth of information about a patient's respiratory health.
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract is critical in identifying potential health issues. One key component of this assessment is palpation, a technique healthcare providers use to assess the body for abnormalities. This content explores the method of palpation in evaluating the respiratory tract, focusing on thoracic palpation and tactile fremitus.
Thoracic Palpation
Thoracic palpation detects tenderness, masses, lesions, respiratory excursions, and vocal fremitus. The nurse assesses...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Screening Eligibility and Survival Among Patients With Lung Cancer in Korea.

JAMA network open·2026

Electronic cigarette use after smoking cessation and lung cancer risk.

Nature medicine·2026

Performance and Utility of the Sybil Deep Learning Model for Lung Cancer Risk Prediction in Asian High- and Low-Risk Populations.

Chest·2026

Correction: Kim et al. Transcriptomic Analysis of Air-Liquid Interface Culture in Human Lung Organoids Reveals Regulators of Epithelial Differentiation. Cells 2024, 13, 1991.

Cells·2026

Clinical characteristics of post-operative N2 nodal upstaging in non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Translational lung cancer research·2026

Lung Microphysiological System Validates Novel Cell Therapy for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Advanced biology·2025

See all related articles