The thoracic spine sign in bedside ultrasound. Three cases report

Med Ultrason. 2014 Jun;16(2):179-81. doi: 10.11152/mu.201.3.2066.162.aara1.

Abstract

The "thoracic spine sign" is visualized when anechoic or hypoechoic fluid is present in the pleural space. Fluid serves as a medium through which the thoracic vertebral bodies are visualized above the diaphragm. We present three cases of emergency department patients with a thoracic spine sign identified on bedside ultrasound. These patients were subsequently diagnosed with pleural fluid accumulations on chest radiograph. Our findings suggest that the identification of the sonographic spine sign may aid the physician in the evaluation and diagnosis of emergency department patients with thoracic complaints.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Volume / physiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Female
  • Hemothorax / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging*
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Thoracic Injuries / complications
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wounds, Stab / complications
  • Wounds, Stab / diagnostic imaging