Chest Ultrasound Test: What It Detects & Purpose

Learn about the chest ultrasound test, what it detects, and its purpose. Read our complete patient guide to understand the procedure and benefits.

Chest Ultrasound Test and What It Detects

What Is a Chest Ultrasound Test?

Ultrasound chest is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that is used for the detection of chest abnormalities and other related issues. There are various types of abnormalities and conditions which can be detected by this test and those include:

• Pleural spaces
• Fluid around the lungs
• Pleural thickening
• Chest wall
• Surface areas of the lungs
• Diaphragm
• Selected masses or abnormalities near the chest wall
• Blood flow when Colour Doppler is required

What Does a Chest Ultrasound Detect?

Chest ultrasound can help detect several abnormalities, particularly those involving the pleura and areas close to the chest wall.

Pleural Effusion

• Presence of fluid
• Approximate amount of fluid
• Location of fluid
• Whether the fluid appears simple or complex
• Suitable areas for fluid drainage or aspiration

Pleural Thickening and Pleural Abnormalities

• Pleural thickening
• Pleural irregularities
• Pleural-based masses
• Other abnormalities close to the chest wall

Pneumonia and Lung Consolidation

• Lung consolidation
• Areas affected by infection
• Changes associated with pneumonia
• Fluid around the lungs

Lung Collapse

• Areas of collapsed lung near the chest wall
• Changes in lung movement
• Associated pleural fluid

Pneumothorax

• Presence of pneumothorax
• Changes in normal lung movement
• Abnormalities of the pleural interface

Chest Wall Lumps and Masses

• Size of the abnormality
• Location
• Whether it is solid or fluid-filled
• Relationship with nearby tissues
• Blood flow within the area using Colour Doppler

Guidance for Medical Procedures

• Pleural fluid aspiration
• Thoracentesis
• Chest drain placement
• Biopsy of selected pleural or chest wall abnormalities

How Is a Chest Ultrasound Performed?

• The patient sits, lies down, or changes position as required.
• Ultrasound gel is applied to the chest.
• A handheld probe is moved over the required areas.
• Images of the chest structures are obtained.
• Colour Doppler may be used in selected cases.
• The procedure usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes.

Benefits of Chest Ultrasound

• Non-invasive procedure
• Does not use ionising radiation
• Provides real-time imaging
• Useful for detecting pleural fluid
• Can help evaluate selected lung abnormalities
• Useful for assessing chest wall lumps
• Can evaluate diaphragm movement
• Helps guide fluid drainage and other procedures
• Usually quick and painless
• Can be repeated when medically required

Who May Need a Chest Ultrasound?

• Suspected fluid around the lungs
• Chest pain in selected situations
• Shortness of breath
• Suspected pleural abnormalities
• Suspected pneumonia involving areas close to the chest wall
• Chest wall swelling or lumps
• Need for pleural fluid drainage
• Suspected diaphragm movement problems
• Follow-up of selected chest conditions