The thoracic spine sign in bedside ultrasound. Three cases report. uri icon

Overview

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 date

  • June 1, 2014

Research

keywords

  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Hemothorax
  • Pleural Effusion
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Thoracic Vertebrae

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84899020008

PubMed ID

  • 24791852

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 16

issue

  • 2