Echographic evaluation of diaphragmatic motion in intra-abdominal diseases.

Movement of the diaphragm can be evaluated with diagnostic ultrasound using B- and M-mode techniques. Ultrasonic scanning is a highly sensitive method of demonstrating generalized or localized abnormalities of diaphragmatic motion and is superior to fluoroscopy in several respects. There is no exposure to ionizing radiations, and a permanent record of the excursion of the diaphragmatic surface is obtained. This method has the additional advantage of providing a two-dimensional display of the upper abdominal quadrant, which may reveal the nature of the underlying disease process.