Evaluating Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Ultrasound

Figure 2

(a) The convex probe is positioned on the abdomen to examine the right diaphragmatic dome. The upward and downward movements of the right diaphragmatic dome were measured from the anterior position. The probe orientation should be longitudinal scan (right hemidiaphragm US method in B-mode and M-mode). (b and c) B-mode ultrasound evaluation of the craniocaudal displacement of the left branch of the portal vein in a patient with COPD. The position of the vessel was marked by the calliper during forced expiration and inspiration manoeuvres. The line shows displacement of the left branch of the portal vein during maximal inspiratory and expiratory breathing in the sagittal plane. The craniocaudal displacement of this branch was registered in millimetres. E marks at maximal end expiration, and I marks the lowest point at maximal inspiration. The distance between E and I is 41 mm (Ant B-Mode R). (d). M-mode scan of the right hemidiaphragmatic dome at maximal inspiration The first calliper was placed at the foot of the inspiration slope on the diaphragm echoic line and the second one at the apex of this slope for the deep breathing measurements (Ant M-Mode R: 42.7 mm).

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