Ultrasonography for clinical decision-making and intervention in airway management: from the mouth to the lungs and pleurae

Insights into Imaging

Table 1 Common sonomorphological appearance of atelectasis and common causes for lung contusion

Condition	Echogenecity	Demarcation	Bronchograms	Miscellaneous
Pneumonia	Hyperechoic	Diffuse^a	Air bronchograms present
Pulmonary embolism	Hypoechoic	Sharp	Absent	Triangular/rounded shape
				Multiple lesions may be present
				Often minor pleural effusion present
Tumour	Hypoechoic^b	Diffuse/sharp	Absent	Abnormal vessel supply may be present
Tumour	Hypoechoic^b	Diffuse/sharp	Absent	Visible growth into or destruction of organs and anatomical structures may be present
Lung contusion	Hyperechoic	Diffuse^a	Air bronchograms may be present
Compression atelectasis	Hyperechoic	Sharp	Absent	Wedge shape
				Adjoining pleural effusion present
				“Jelly fish” sign
				Re-ventilation during inspiration may be present
Obstruction atelectasis	Hyperechoic	Diffuse^a	Fluid bronchograms present	No or minimal pleural effusion present
Obstruction atelectasis	Hyperechoic	Diffuse^a	Fluid bronchograms present	No re-ventilation during inspiration present

^aIf larger areas of the lung are affected such as an entire lobe, the demarcation appears sharp, corresponding to the anatomical structures
^bTumours are most often hypoechoic, but may also appear hyperechoic or have areas with different echogenicity