Ultrasound of the lungs is a painless study that is able to diagnose various pathologies of the respiratory system. Using this procedure, it became possible to identify serious pathological conditions of the lungs, pleural cavities and surrounding tissues at the very beginning of the development of the process as early as possible.
With this method, ultrasound does not use x-rays or other aggressive influences that can provoke the occurrence of cancer. Currently, such a procedure is available to most patients financially.
What pathologies can be detected by this method?
Ultrasound of the lungs allows you to identify the following pathologies:
- unilateral and bilateral pneumonia;
- organ metastases;
- the presence of intravascular fluid in people suffering from heart failure;
- metastatic damage to the lymph nodes;
- diagnosis of lung cancer;
- for detection in an organ of a foreign body;
- focal pneumonia;
- peripheral tumor;
- intrathoracic relapse;
- the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity;
- observation of the lungs during their treatment.
In addition, such a study allows us to assess the condition of organs and tissues that are located in close proximity.
Indications for appointment
Ultrasound of the lungs is prescribed in the following cases:
- with diseases of the pleura, which include mesothelioma, empyema, as well as in the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity;
- if a benign or malignant tumor of the lungs is suspected;
- if breathing is difficult;
- with the appearance of sputum, not associated with colds;
- limb vein thrombosis;
- chest trauma;
- fever;
- for preventive purposes.
Ultrasound of the lungs and bronchi can be done at any medical center.
Patient preparation
In order to undergo an ultrasound examination of the lungs, the patient does not need to be specially prepared for this. This procedure can be carried out at any time of the day. It is possible to take expectorant drugs, but this point should be discussed with your doctor.
Ultrasound of the lungs for a child also does not require specific preparation. The baby should feel comfortable, be full, not suffer from heat or cold. To do this, parents should bring water or milk, a diaper for the couch in the ultrasound room, disposable wipes to remove the gel from the skin of the child.
Procedure
The main feature of this study is that the patient can sit on the couch in any position convenient for him. After he removes his outer clothing, a special gel is applied to his chest so that the sensor of the knot apparatus tightly contacts the skin. This sensor is installed at right angles to the intercostal spaces and proceed to the examination.
If an anechogenic fluid is found in the pleural cavity, the patient is asked to change position so that it moves. To obtain more accurate results, the study is carried out in the longitudinal, transverse and oblique scanning planes, applying the sensor differently relative to the axis of the body.
Is it possible to carry out an ultrasound of the lungs during pregnancy? This is allowed in the third trimester when the fetal respiratory system is examined. In this case, an assessment of their structure and readiness for functioning is carried out if there is a suspicion that the baby may be born prematurely. With the help of such a study, intrauterine pneumonia in the fetus is detected or completely excluded.
What should this study show?
If the doctor has prescribed an ultrasound of the lungs, what does this procedure show? Normally, the following structures should be viewed:
- area of loose fiber;
- external fascia of the chest;
- the border between lung tissue and soft tissues;
- internal fascia of the chest;
- subcutaneous tissue;
- lung tissue;
- the muscles.
The data obtained may indicate the presence of various types of deviations and pathologies.
Decoding of the research results
A lung tumor is visible if it is adjacent to the diaphragm, and also when there is no lung tissue in the direction of the ultrasound beam between the tumor and the sensor. The tumor is also diagnosed with immobility of the node during breathing.
Pneumonia of the lungs is manifested by the presence of a lesion with numerous air inclusions that have fuzzy and uneven contours. An advanced form of pneumonia is characterized by the fact that such inclusions are connected to each other, contributing to the appearance of purulent formations.
If a lung abscess is suspected during examination, a suspension and a liquid cavity with air bubbles are found in the airless area of the organ. Blood vessels are not visible at all.
With pulmonary tuberculosis, an increase in the lymph nodes located near the aorta is noted. They have an oval shape with a large amount of liquid. After some time, their echogenicity begins to increase, as a result of which they cease to be visualized.
Ultrasound of the lungs with pneumonia is rarely used. Since it is impossible by this method to accurately visualize infiltrative shadows, this disease is diagnosed using radiography. Ultrasound is prescribed as an additional method.
Advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound examination of the lungs
As already mentioned, this method of diagnosing lung diseases is absolutely harmless in comparison with tomographic and radiological examination. Ultrasound of the lungs does not use harmful rays, so it can be performed countless times.
However, this procedure also has disadvantages. The study cannot show in more detail everything that we would like. The main disadvantage is ultrasound, which penetrates deep into the tissue by only 7 cm, as a result of which it is impossible to conduct a full study of the entire lung volume. On the monitor you can see only the upper layers of the organs and the pleural cavity.
Thanks to ultrasound, high-frequency vibrations occur that allow you to view the density of internal organs. The air contained in the lungs does not allow ultra-frequencies to linger, leading to poor visibility. Also, the ribs are an obstacle during examination, since ultrasound does not pass through the bones.
Conclusion
Thus, ultrasound examination of the lungs is a very popular procedure, which has a fairly high efficiency in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. It is considered completely harmless and it is prescribed even to pregnant women and seriously ill patients. Moreover, such a survey is available to almost everyone.