Mubarik Ahmed Arshad MBBS, BSC, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Dimitri Amiras, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joel Dunn MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yaron Berkowitz MBBCHIR,MRCS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kathryn Tran MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mary Elizabeth Roddie MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Leonardo Monzon MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To educate the reader on the various sonographic signs used to identify a pneumothorax and the evidence supporting their use.

Ultrasound is increasingly recognised as an accurate modality to detect a pneumothorax. (sens 95.7%, 100% spec compared with CT in the setting of blunt thoracic trauma). The signs of a pneumothorax include the absence of both lung sliding and the comet tail artefact, the presence of the lung point and the stratosphere sign on M-mode. Lung sliding: This describes the appearance of movement of the visceral pleura over the parietal pleura. Its absence indicates the presence of a pneumothorax. (Sens 81%, specificity 100%). M-mode assessment: Motion mode allows the sonographic evaluation of motion along a single line. Lack of motion is depicted as horizontal lines and gives the characteristic appearance of the ‘stratosphere’ sign (sensitivity of 100%, spec 78%). Further descriptions of these signs with numerous short movie clips of examples are provided to illustrate these points.  

A review of the sonographic findings, supporting evidence with pictorial examples of the lung sliding, comet tail, lung point and stratosphere signs are described.

Arshad, M, Amiras, D, Dunn, J, Berkowitz, Y, Tran, K, Roddie, M, Monzon, L, Sonography of Pneumothorax: A Review of the Signs.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12029998.html Accessed April 30, 2025