Medical ultrasonography
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Neuraxial blockade is still largely performed as a blind procedure. Despite of developments in the type of needles used and drugs administered, the process of locating the epidural or intra-thecal space is still limited to identification of landmarks by palpation and reliance on tactile feedback of the operator. Ultrasound has provided the long needed "eye" to the procedure and has already shown promise of improving the safety and efficacy or neuraxial blocks. This review focuses on understanding the sonoanatomy of the neuraxial space, performing a systematic pre-procedural ultrasound scan, and reviewing the available evidence.
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Pleural ultrasonography (US) represents nowadays a useful diagnostic tool in the management of pleural diseases. Detection and evaluation of pleural effusions, pneumothorax and pleural-based lesions can be performed with US, which has the advantages of wide availability, low cost, absence of radiation exposure, and portability. ⋯ US of the thorax is an operator dependent technique demanding an experienced operator in order to obtain reliable results. This pictorial essay presents various ultrasound findings of the diseases which concern the pleura.