Transcutaneous colour Doppler sonography of lung consolidations: review and pictorial essay. Part 2: colour Doppler sonographic patterns of pulmonary consolidations.

The first ultrasound examinations of the lung were performed 30 years ago. In contrast to abdominal ultrasound, lung examination by ultrasound is not established as a routine method, due to a nearly complete sound reflection by the bones of the thorax and the aerated lung. In the last years B-mode sonographic patterns of peripherally based pleural lesions have been described. Colour Doppler sonography (CDS) further extends the diagnostic potential of ultrasound in chest disease. This article will review qualitative and quantitative CDS patterns of different pulmonary lesions.