Methodological aspects of chest ultrasound study in lung tumor pathology

Based on the experience in examining more than 2000 patients, the authors show the capacities of chest ultrasound study (USS) for space-occupying lesions. They describe a lung USS procedure and a normal chest echographic pattern. The procedure permits imaging of the minimum amount of fluid in the pleural space, pleural tumor nodules, and afflicted mediastinal lymph nodes located above the aortic arch. USS enables one to diagnose intergrowth of a peripheral lung tumor in the chest (93.7% sensitivity), to identify the involvement of the pericardium, heart, and large vessels in the process (94-100% sensitivity), and to detect decay cavities in atelectasis and in the tumor. During follow-up, the technique allows an intrathoracic locoregional recurrence to be found in patients who have undergone surgery. It is particularly effective in patients who have undergone pneumonectomy (94.2% sensitivity).

ultrasound study, lung tumor, lung cancer, recurrence, ultrasound-guided puncture