Journal of intensive care medicine
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J Intensive Care Med · Nov 2014
ReviewRetrospective computed tomography mapping of intrapleural air may demonstrate optimal window for ultrasound diagnosis of pneumothorax.
When a pneumothorax exists, free air should rise to the most nondependent region within the chest. Current ultrasound (US) examination methodologies may exclude visualization of these areas that may limit the sensitivity of the examination. This retrospective study uses computed tomography (CT) scans to precisely evaluate where free air within the thorax occurs and correlates this location with a presumably optimal US interrogation window. ⋯ The CT scans demonstrate that intrapleural air most often collects along the mediastinum between ribs 3 and 6 on either side of the chest. Although no USs were performed in this retrospective study, one may infer that a parasternal approach along rib interspaces 3 to 6 is an easy and sensitive window to diagnose pneumothorax with US.