Gray scale echography of the lung and pleural space: current applications of oncologic interest.

B mode gray scale echography is not useful in evaluation of the normal lung and pleural space. The presence of abnormal fluid collections in the chest change the acoustic properties of the thorax and pleural fluid collections may be detected and localized with precision. Lesions abutting the chest wall may be characterized as cystic or solid. Echography can be used to assess the motion and morphology of the diaphragms. Sonographic examination of the thorax is particularly useful in determining whether a large area of radiographic opacification such as an opaque hemithorax is due to fluid, tumor, or intrinsic pulmonary disease such as atelectasis or consolidation.