Lung Ultrasound

  • Linear High Frequency Probe
  • Normal lung sliding is seen.
  • The pleura is the echobright shimmering line that has the appearance of ants marching.
  • Ribs and rib shadows on either end of the clip.
  • Intercostal muscle is seen between the ribs.
  • Z-lines or comet tails appear to arise from the pleural line. These are artifacts.
  • Linear High Frequency Probe
  • Lung sliding is absent. The pleura is static and does not slide at all.
  • Linear High Frequency Probe
  • A lung point is seen. There is lung sliding present on the right side of the clip.
  • Lung sliding is absent on the left side of the clip.
  • This is virtually diagnostic of pneumothorax.
  • Curvilinear Low Frequency Probe
  • B-lines are laser like artifacts that extend from the pleural surface all the way to the bottom of the screen.
  • They indicate the presence of interstitial oedema.
  • It can be normal to have < 3 B-lines per intercostal space.
  • Curvilinear Low Frequency Probe
  • Lung consolidation is seen. 
  • The boundary between normal lung and consolidated lung has a jagged appearance. This is called the shred sign.
  • Within the area of consolidation, there are multiple echobright spots that likeley represent air bronchograms. This is called the tissue sign.
  • Curvilinear Low Frequency Probe
  • There is a pleural effusnoi present, seen as an anechoic area above the diaphragm.
  • There is also fluid present below the diaphragm. This is ascitic fluid.