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Updated: Jul 1, 2025

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: March 3, 2023
Imaging of pleural disease.
Maged Hassan1, Abdelfattah A Touman2, Elżbieta M Grabczak3
1Chest Diseases Department, Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt.
This review covers imaging for pleural diseases, highlighting chest radiographs, ultrasound, and CT scans. It details how these tools diagnose and manage pleural space abnormalities like fluid or air accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Thoracic Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- The pleural space, a potential space between visceral and parietal layers, normally contains minimal fluid.
- Pleural diseases manifest as thickening, or abnormal air/fluid accumulation.
- Chest radiographs are initial diagnostic tools for pleural pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of various imaging modalities in diagnosing and managing pleural diseases.
- To discuss current and emerging imaging techniques for pleural space abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on pleural space imaging.
- Analysis of the roles of chest radiography, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT).
- Discussion of advanced and novel imaging tools.
Main Results:
- Chest radiographs are often the first imaging test but have limitations.
- Ultrasound and CT are crucial for detailed characterization and management guidance.
- Pneumothorax is an exception where radiography is more definitive.
Conclusions:
- Accurate imaging is vital for effective pleural disease management.
- A combination of imaging techniques, including advanced methods, improves diagnostic capabilities.
- Continued development in imaging technology offers improved characterization of pleural pathologies.
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