Ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of pleural disease

A-mode ultrasound investigation has been performed in 62 patients, of whom 35 presented problems of diagnosis and management of pleural disease. In seven patients with known pleural effusion in whom aspiration had failed ultrasound correctly identified fluid at a site different from the aspiration attempts and in all seven cases it weas successfully removed. The remaining 28 patients had the radiographic appearances of localized pleural disease and ultrasound correctly distinguished fluid and solid lesions in 26. We found ultrasound to be a simple and reliable technique which was particularly valuable in locating fluid for aspiration and in distinguishing between fluid and pleural thickening. The simplicity and 'bedside' availability of ultrasound offered certain practical advantages over radiography.