Echographie du pneumothorax.

Ultrasound of 28 radiologically confirmed cases of pneumothorax were compared to 100 controls. Specific ultrasonographic signs were shown in all cases and could be categorised into four groups: isolated pneumothorax (n = 16), hydro-pneumothorax (n = 9), subcutaneous emphysema (n = 1) and post aspiration pneumothorax (n = 2). The isolated pneumothorax was characterised by the disappearance of the lung deflection signal. The effusion of the hydropneumothorax allows in addition a curtain sign which depicts the movement of the air/fluid level, the detachment of the lung being calculated across the liquid window whose echo-structure is analysed. Pneumothoraces appearing during an echo guided thoracic puncture are confirmed by the disappearance of the pathological image. Thus echography appears to be a new method in the diagnosis of pneumothoraces and is complimentary to standard radiology. It should be confirmed as particularly useful during the process of thoracic puncture or juxta-diaphragmatic puncture when following the process of a pneumothorax, for emergency situations and/or those in which no radiological equipment is available.