Current practice of lung ultrasonography (LUS) in the diagnosis of pneumothorax: a survey of physician sonographers in Germany

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to survey the current practice of the use of lung ultrasonography (LUS) in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. METHODS: Physician sonographers, accredited for diagnostic ultrasonography in surgery, anaesthesia and medicine were studied. Questions addressed the frequency of exposure to patients with suspected pneumothorax, frequency of LUS use, preferences regarding technical aspects of LUS examination, assessment of diagnostic accuracy of LUS and involvement in teaching. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 55.1% used LUS ‘always’ or ‘frequently’ for suspected pneumothorax. Also, 35.5% of physicians rated LUS as ‘always reliable’ in ruling out pneumothorax, and 21.3% of respondents rated LUS as ‘always reliable’ in ruling in pneumothorax. The mode of performing LUS for pneumothorax was highly variable. Statistically significant differences were found regarding the likelihood of LUS usage, the combined use of M-Mode and B-mode scanning and the confidence to exclude pneumothorax based on LUS findings for physicians with frequent exposure to pneumothorax cases. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' use of LUS in the diagnosis of pneumothorax is modest. Confidence in diagnostic accuracy is not comprehensive. Further research is required to establish the most efficient way of performing LUS in this scenario to achieve the highest possible diagnostic accuracy and reliable documentation of examination results.