THORACIC ULTRASOUND – A SILENT MÉTIERE

Time to change clinical practice!

  • Nadeem Rizvi
Keywords: thoracic ultrasound, pulmonology

Abstract

After many long years of silent observations by physicians, thoracic ultrasound has made its way into day to day pulmonology and critical care practice all around the globe – and in fact, in all specialties where the doctor hangs a stethoscope around his neck.

Ultrasound technology has enabled the pulmonologist to safely perform a wide range of thoracic procedures. It helps in early diagnosis and management of respiratory patients. It ensures that appropriate patient gets the appropriate intervention, thus streamlining the care pathway and ensuring safety.

The accessibility of portable ultrasound machines has significantly improved the management, with benefits including the absence of radiation, ease of use, and real time imaging. It can be performed at the bedside and no particular preparation is required.

References

1. Raptopoulos V, Davis LM, Lee G, et al. Factors affecting the development of pneumothorax associated with thoracentesis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1991; 156: 917-20.
2. Havelock T, Teoh R, Laws D, et al. Pleural procedures and thoracic ultrasound: British thoracic society pleural disease guideline 2010. Thorax. 2010; 65 (Suppl 2):ii61-ii76.
3. Tsai TH, Yang PC. Ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of pleural disease. CurrOpinPulm Med. 2003; 9(4): 282-90.
4. Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board. Specialty training curriculum for respiratory medicine. Approved April 2015.
5. The Royal College of Radiologists. Focused ultrasound training standards. London: The Royal College of Radiologists. 2012.
Published
2019-02-21
How to Cite
Rizvi, N. (2019). THORACIC ULTRASOUND – A SILENT MÉTIERE. Annals of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, 4(2), 57-58. Retrieved from http://www.ajsmu.com/index.php/AJSMU/article/view/28