[Value and limitations of ultrasonic diagnosis in pneumology]

For a number of valid reasons, echotomography has the reputation of being of little interest in respiratory medicine. Its indications are certainly infrequent in everyday practice. However, if chest physicians lose interest in the technique, the paradoxal situation may arise where echotomography in respiratory medicine would be under-estimated and under-used. It would be a pity, since the technique is non-invasive and perfectly harmless. The authors review and illustrate the various indications of the method, emphasizing its interest and its limitations.