[Ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary diseases]

In 87 patients with peripheral pulmonary diseases either adhesive or close to the pleura, who were examined, ultrasonographically 64 had lung cancer and 23 benign lesions were confirmed histopathologically. Five sonographic features including configuration, echogenicity patterns, bronchial air phase in foci, margin, and pleural involvement were significantly different between malignant and benign diseases (P < 0.01). The differential ultrasonography used in this series showed a sensitivity of 61% (14/23), a specificity of 95% (61/64), and an accuracy of 86% (75/87). The results demonstrate that ultrasound is helpful in differentiating the malignant lesion from the benign one in the peripheral lung near the pleura.