THE SUPPLEMENTARY VALUE OF TRANSTHORACIC ULTRASOUND FOR CHEST-RADIOGRAPH IN DIAGNOSIS THORACIC ANORMALIES
Background: Chest X-ray was recommended as the first choice for lung pathology for longtime. Transthoracic ultrasonography can explore effectively the anomaly of chest wall, the pleura and the peripheral lung parenchyma. This diagnostic tool was not routinely applying in Viet Nam. Objective of this study is to confirm the supplementary value for chest radiograph of transthoracic ultrasound. Material and methods: Cross descriptive study from 4/2013 to 11/2013 on 32 patients with pleural, lung and chest wall pathology by ultrasound and chest radiograph at Hue University Hospital. Results: 17 trauma and 15 non trauma patients with almost man (81.2%) at the working-age (71.9%). The most common clinical sign is chest pain (84.4%), then pleural effusion, shortness of breath, glare pain point (31-34%). The ultrasound is more sensitive than chest X ray in diagnosis of pleural effusion, rib fracture, pleural thickening... The fracture of the 8th–10th ribs are well diagnosed on US were missed on chest radiograph. The characteristic of pleural effusion and the minimum of pleural thickening were explored on US only. Conclusion: The supplementary value of transthoracic US for chest X ray in diagnosis the anomaly of pleura and chest wall is now justified, especially in case traumatism. Key words: X-ray, lung pathology, transthoracic