Ultrasound
Quick guide
Lung ultrasound quick guide
Sara Nikravan, MD
Basics
Transducer selection:
Phased array or curvilinear
• Low frequency
• Deeper penetration
Linear
• Higher frequency / higher resolution
• Best for examining the pleura
When scanning:
• Use a “Lung” preset
• Follow a scanning protocol
• Label and save images
• Transducer marker towards the patients head
• Transducer should be perpendicular to the
ribs/pleura
• Images should include two adjacent ribs
Evaluate for lung sliding, lung artifacts (A-lines and B lines), pneumothorax, pleural effusion,
interstitial syndrome, and consolidations.
Normal lung
Parietal and visceral pleurae appear as
a single hyperechoic “pleural line”
Pleural line will “slide” representing
movement of the pleural surfaces Ultrasound Quick guide Lung ultrasound quick gu Pneumothorax • Absence of lung sliding • Consolidations Lung has a tissue-like quality (