Abstract
In recent years, the use of pleural ultrasound in pleural pathology has become increasingly routine, thanks to its dynamism and simplicity and low cost; in addition, it is free of ionising radiation, repeatable, now compatible with light and portable instruments, and easy to handle and perform. Chest ultrasound is considered a ‘gold-standard’ method for the study and management of pleural effusion and in the diagnosis of pneumothorax, with very high sensitivity and specificity. An accurate scan can allow for the precise definition of the localisation of the tumour (extrapleural, pleural or parenchymal), local infiltration, the extent of the mass and its nature. Ultrasound has proved to be fundamental as a safe and reliable guide in ‘real-time’ interventional manoeuvres, from simple thoracentesis to the correct positioning of a drain. In addition, thoracic ultrasound has become an indispensable element for planning medical thoracoscopy.
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Marchetti, G.P. (2023). Transthoracic Ultrasound in Pleural Diseases. In: Casalini, A.G. (eds) Practical Manual of Pleural Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20312-1_18
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