A Boccatonda1, G Primomo2, G Cocco3, D D'Ardes3, S Marinari2, M Montanari4, F Giostra5, C Schiavone3. 1. Unit of Ultrasound in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy. andrea.boccatonda@gmail.com. 2. Pneumology Department, SS Annunziata Hospital, Chieti, Italy. 3. Unit of Ultrasound in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy. 4. Emergency Department, Infermi Hospital, Rimini, Italy. 5. Emergency Department, Murri Hospital, Fermo, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is expanding from the field of emergency medicine, also to the pneumological specialist field, becoming part of the diagnostic procedure of lung consolidation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old male was admitted to our emergency department for exertional dyspnea. LUS was performed, thus showing at right hemitorax air interface, A lines pattern, pleural sliding abolished on the whole hemitorax, thus suggesting a pneumothorax, but no evidence of lung point. A scan of lower lung segment showed an absence of the diaphragmatic excursion, suggestive for hemiparalysis of the diaphragm muscle, then confirmed by a subcostal scan. Moreover, at the lower segment of right hemitorax there was mild pleural effusion allowing the visualization of a round-shaped parenchymal consolidation with the absence of air bronchograms. CONCLUSIONS: LUS allowed the visualization of a particular and rare disease such as anthracosis-associated rounded atelectasis, thus leading to a more correct and faster patient management.
INTRODUCTION: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is expanding from the field of emergency medicine, also to the pneumological specialist field, becoming part of the diagnostic procedure of lung consolidation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old male was admitted to our emergency department for exertional dyspnea. LUS was performed, thus showing at right hemitorax air interface, A lines pattern, pleural sliding abolished on the whole hemitorax, thus suggesting a pneumothorax, but no evidence of lung point. A scan of lower lung segment showed an absence of the diaphragmatic excursion, suggestive for hemiparalysis of the diaphragm muscle, then confirmed by a subcostal scan. Moreover, at the lower segment of right hemitorax there was mild pleural effusion allowing the visualization of a round-shaped parenchymal consolidation with the absence of air bronchograms. CONCLUSIONS: LUS allowed the visualization of a particular and rare disease such as anthracosis-associated rounded atelectasis, thus leading to a more correct and faster patient management.