Pneumothorax

Lung ultrasound is a valuable tool in diagnosing or excluding pneumothorax at the bedside. The key ultrasound signs to assess include lung sliding, lung pulse, B-lines, and the presence of a lung point. These signs will help determine whether a pneumothorax is present or can be excluded..

Ruling out pneumothorax:• The presence of lung sliding or a lung pulse on the anterior part of the thorax effectively rules out pneumothorax.• B-lines, representing vertical artifacts, also exclude pneumothorax when visualized on the anterior thorax.

Suspicion of possible pneumothorax:• The absence of lung sliding or lung pulse and the absence of B-lines on the anterior thorax raise suspicion of a possible pneumothorax.

A definitive diagnosis of pneumothorax is made when there is no lung sliding, lung pulse, or B-lines on the anterior thorax, combined with the presence of a “lung point,” the transition point where the lung reattaches to the chest wall.

The clips below will demonstrate these ultrasound findings in various cases, helping you recognize the signs that confirm or exclude pneumothorax.