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Technical advancements in sonography devices, which have led to the production of mobile and even portable units, have allowed rapid use of sonography at the bedside for a large number of indications. The transducer virtually serves as a technical extension of the palpating hand or the stethoscope. In the presence of chest diseases the cardinal symptoms are chest pain, fever and dyspnea. These symptoms may occur either separately or in combination, and thus allow the diagnostician to orient himself/herself to the situation (Fig. 11.1). The extent and the intensity of the individual symptoms are mainly determined by the severity of the respective disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The „white hemithorax" is primarily a radiographic finding caused by reduced radiotransparency. Although radiographic findings are of primary importance for evaluating the extent of lung opacity, occasionally the findings cannot be interpreted in such a way that the cause of the condition can be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cause of many diseases in chest organs can be determined by a combined evaluation of the patient's history, clinical findings and diagnostic imaging procedures. An elaborate diagnostic "cascade" which strings together any available methods is neither justifiable economically nor sensible from a medical viewpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnostic outcome of chest ultrasonography is greatly influenced by the investigator's knowledge and careful handling of artifacts in the B-mode image (and color Doppler). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to the sonographic characteristics of the Bmode image, the type of vascularization is of major importance for assessment of a lesion in terms of differential diagnosis. In sonographic examinations, the established procedures of color-Doppler sonography and, since recently, contrast-assisted sonography are used for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endobronchial application of ultrasound was first described in 1992 (Hürther and Hanrath 1992). In the following years technical difficulties had to be solved and a clear view of the indication and diagnostic properties of endobronchial sonography had to be developed. Many abnormalities of the airways involve the bronchial wall and the parabronchial structures. Radiologic imaging has been proven to be unreliable in diagnosis of these structures (Sihoe and Yim 2004). The view of the endoscopist, however, is limited to the lumen and the internal surface of the airways. Processes within the airway wall and outside the airways can only be assessed by indirect signs. Especially in malignancies this can be of decisive importance for the fate of the patient. External mediastinal thoracic sonography is insufficient for imaging of the paratracheal and hilar structures. By endoesophageal sonography, the pretracheal region and the right hilar structures are inaccessible because of limited contact and interposition of the airways. Therefore, expanding the endoscopist's view beyond the airways is essential (Herth and Becker 2000). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediastinal structures can be visualized comprehensively by computed tomography as well as magnetic resonance tomography. Apart from echocardiography, transthoracic sonographic examination of the mediastinum has therefore not been widely applied until now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cases of lobular and segmental pneumonia, large amounts of air are displaced from the lung as a result of extensive fibrinous exudation. Affected lobes or segments are depleted of air and sink in water. The phase of engorgement and hepatization, i.e., the first week of the disease, offers good conditions for pathological echo transmission. In this phase, pneumonia is imaged well on the sonogram. In the phase of lysis, the inflamed portion of the lung is ventilated to an increasing extent. Air reflexes superimpose deeper infiltrations. The image on sonography at this time may underestimate the actual extent of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides the chest wall, the pleura is the thoracic structure which can be reached most easily and best depicted sonographically. With the appropriate examination method, the whole costal and diaphragmatic pleura can be visualized. The visceral pleura, which is hidden behind the ribs, can be shifted to the intercostal space by means of breathing maneuvers. From the jugular direction, the upper, forward mediastinum with its parts of the pleura can be captured. The lower, rear mediastinal and paravertebral sections of the pleura are not usually not discernible on transthoracic sonography. According to estimates based on transverse sections of the thorax using computed tomography, at least 60-70% of the pleura surface can be visualized sonographically (Reuss 1996). Most diseases of the pleura affect the costal and diaphragmatic pleural segments. The value of color duplex sonography of the pleura, however, has not been systematically evaluated, but it is helpful in differentiating tumor-like lesions and infiltrations, especially in the thoracic wall and in the lung. Color duplex sonography, spectral Doppler sonography and contrast-enhanced sonography have gained a position of importance in the differential diagnosis of space-occupying lesions at the level of the pleura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chest wall—with the exception of the parietal pleura behind the ribs—is well accessed by sonography because of its position immediately next to the ultrasound transducer (Sakai et al. 1990). Any suspicious findings on palpation of the chest (whether inflammatory or neoplastic) may be an indication for chest sonography. Quite often the subsequent procedure consists of sonographic control investigations and sonography-guided aspiration. Chest trauma is an excellent indication for sonography of the chest wall. Fractures of the rib and the sternum can be diagnosed with great accuracy. Concomitant conditions such as local hematoma, pleural effusion or pneumothorax can also be identified by sonography (Mathis 1997). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sonography is a long-established supplementary imaging procedure in the diagnosis of pleural effusions. Technical advancement and ongoing scientific evidence have caused the spectrum of application for sonography in diseases of the chest to be steadily extended over the last few years (Stender et al. 1994; Broaddus and Light 1994; Müller 1997; Kinasewitz 1998; Beckh 2002; Fig. 1.1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bildatlas der Lungen- und Pleurasonographie is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)