Table 3 Description of lung ultrasound findings

A-lines

Horizontal lines separated from the pleural line by regular intervals that are equal to the distance between skin and pleural line

Pleural line remains intact

Normal

B-lines

Vertical, hyperechoic reverberation artifacts originating from the pleural line and extending throughout the field of view

Pleural line remains intact

Up to 2 B-lines per view are normal, otherwise fluid in the interstitial space is suspected

Pleural effusion

Anechoic areas that separate lung tissue from pleura and diaphragm, may be simple “black” fluid or contain complex septations

Separation of visceral and parietal pleura by fluid

Collection of pleural transudate or exudate

Pneumothorax

Absence of dynamic pleural sliding, a lung point represents the transition between loss of pleural sliding and the return of pleural sliding (the border of the pneumothorax)

Separation of visceral and parietal pleura by air

Air in the pleural space

Subpleuric consolidation

Small hypoechoic areas (< 2 cm) disrupt the visceral pleura

Parietal pleura acquires a “ragged” or “shredded” appearance

Small consolidations are present on the visceral pleura itself

Consolidation with linear bronchogram

Larger irregular hypoechoic areas containing linear hyperechoic air bronchograms (bright areas with linear arrangement casting a vertical shadow artifact)

Alveolar parenchymal involvement, with air trapped in the obstructed airways

Consolidation with “cystic bronchogram”

Larger irregular hypoechoic areas disrupting the visceral pleura with small disseminated hyperechoic areas within consolidated lung (without marked shadow artifacts)

Alveolar parenchymal involvement, possible cystic changes as explanation for the echogenic areas