In recent years, ultrasound has assumed a major role in imaging-guided percutaneous
thoracic interventions. Ultrasound guidance for thoracic interventions began as an
application of techniques in the thorax that had been developed originally for abdominal
biopsies and drainages. Advances in ultrasound technology and the development of techniques
and catheters specifically designed for use in the thorax have contributed to the
increasing use of ultrasound guidance for thoracic interventions. Once used most often
when other guided or unguided interventions had failed or were not feasible, ultrasound
has become the preferred method of guidance for many thoracic procedures. This review
will update the current application of ultrasound guidance for diagnostic and therapeutic
percutaneous thoracic interventions, inducing biopsies of the lung, mediastinum, and
pleura as well as diagnostic aspiration and therapeutic drainage of pleural collections.
Pleurodesis for malignant effusions and fibrinolytic therapy for empyema and hemothorax
also will be considered. Technique, success rate, and complications will be discussed.
Ultrasound (US) guidance - lung, biopsy - mediastinum, biopsy - empyema - intrapleural
fibrinolysis - sclerotherapy
