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Transthoracic Sonography of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease

The Role of Comet Tail Artifacts

Pneumology and Allergology, Department IV, Medical University Clinics, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Angelika Reißig, MD, Pneumology and Allergology, Medical Clinic IV, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Erlanger Allee 101, D-07740 Jena, Germany.

Objective. The value of transthoracic sonography in diffuse parenchymal lung disease is not established. This prospective study was conducted to analyze pleural and parenchymal alterations in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease by transthoracic sonography and to compare the results with the findings of a control group. Methods. Fifty-three patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease and 35 control subjects underwent transthoracic sonography for assessment of (1) basal pleural effusion, (2) the presence and number of comet tail artifacts, (3) thickening, (4) an irregular, fragmented pleural line, and (5) subpleural alterations. Results. Basal pleural effusion was revealed in 37.7% of the patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease (0% of the control subjects; P < .001), and 98.1% had multiple (>6 per scan) comet tail artifacts (14.3% of the control subjects; P < .001). Only a few artifacts (6 per scan; P < .001) were shown in 85.7% of the control subjects. All the control subjects had strongly localized comet tail artifacts and no thickened pleural line (84.9% of patients; P < .001). In 98.1% of the patients, an irregular, fragmented pleural surface could be detected (82.8% of the control subjects; P < .05). Subpleural alterations were found in 37.7% of the patients and in 8.6% of the control subjects (P < .001). Conclusions. Diffuse parenchymal lung disease should be considered if multiple comet tail artifacts distributed over the whole surface of the lung together with a thickened and irregular, fragmented pleural line are visible. Transthoracic sonography may reflect the distribution of pleural involvement and may show subpleural alterations.

Key Words: comet tail artifacts • diffuse parenchymal lung disease • pulmonary fibrosis • transthoracic sonography

Abbreviations: BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage • CT, computed tomography • DPLD, diffuse parenchymal lung disease • HRCT, high-resolution computed tomography • TS, transthoracic sonography

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