Ultrasound is highly sensitive for detecting pleural fluid, pulmonary consolidation, and peripheral lung lesions. It also allows safe guidance of sampling procedures when fluid or masses are present.
Common indications include:
- Investigation of pleural effusion
- Assessment of suspected lung consolidation or pneumonia
- Evaluation of mediastinal masses
- Investigation of respiratory distress where thoracic radiographs are inconclusive
- Ultrasound-guided thoracocentesis
- Characterisation and sampling of thoracic masses or lymph nodes
Thoracic ultrasound is often performed alongside radiography to provide complementary diagnostic information.
