The Essentials of Veterinary Point of Care Ultrasound: Pleural Space and Lung

This book is designed to be a reference for both the new and experienced veterinary point-of-care sonographer. It includes tips and information nonspecialists will find helpful in assessing the pleural space and lung. It covers a step-by-step approach to performing pleural space and lung ultrasound and uses a binary question approach to allow novices and experts alike to master and grow their skills. It is accompanied by videos, which can be accessed through the eBook version or QR codes. 

KEY FEATURES:
➜ Covers a step-by-step approach to performing pleural space and lung ultrasound.
➜ Includes specific techniques and key criteria to assess the pleural space and lungs, as well
as limitations and pitfalls.
➜ Written by specialists in veterinary emergency and critical care and point-of-care ultrasound.

This book titled Essentials of Veterinary Point-of-Care Ultrasound. Pleural Space and
Lung is designed to be a reference for both the new and experienced veterinary pointof-
care sonographer. It includes many key tips, tricks and any additional information that
we as nonradiologists or cardiologists have found helpful in assessing the pleural space
and lung. It covers a step-by-step, how-to approach to performing pleural space and
lung ultrasound and uses a binary question approach to allow novices and experts alike
to master and grow their skills. Relevant sonographic anatomy of the pleural space and
lung as well as general techniques are also reviewed. Effects of patient positioning on
where fluid and air accumulate and how to modify techniques based on patient position
are emphasized. Finally, the book provides specific techniques, key criteria to assess, and
image interpretation for each of the following binary questions about the pleural space
and lung: “Is there pneumothorax?”, “Is there pleural effusion?”, “Is there alveolar interstitial
syndrome?, “Is there lung consolidation?, “Is there pleural thickening?”, and “Is there
pleural irregularity?”. What each of these findings represent and how to differentiate them
from other pathologies is also discussed along with a section on pleural space and lung
procedures. Finally, limitations and pitfalls for each binary question are also covered. This
book should be helpful for any veterinarian, vet student, intern, resident or even technician
who is currently learning or practicing veterinary point-of-care ultrasound.
= The authors

CONTENTS

1. Introduction
Evolution
Using binary questions
Summary
2. General technique
Introduction to the Calgary Pleural and Lung
Ultrasound (PLUS) approach
Indications
Contraindications and complications
Serial exams
Machine functions
Transducer manipulations
Patient positioning and preparation
The Calgary PLUS Technique
Application of the Calgary PLUS approach
3. Image interpretation: Normal findings
Bat sign
Glide sign
A lines
B lines
Curtain sign
Lung pulse
Dry lung
Z lines
4. Image interpretation: Clinical
applications for the pleural space
Is there pneumothorax?
Probe orientation/selection
Where and how to look for pneumothorax
(step by step)
Key criteria to rule out pneumothorax
Key criteria to confirm pneumothorax
Pitfalls
Is there pleural effusion?
Probe orientation/selection
Where and how to look for pleural effusion
(step by step)
Key criteria to rule out pleural effusion
Key criteria to confirm pleural effusion
Tricks to differentiate pleural from pericardial
effusion
Pitfalls
Table of contents
5. Image interpretation: Clinical
applications for the lungs
(visceral pleural surface)
Is there alveolar interstitial syndrome (AIS)?
Probe orientation/selection
Where and how to look for AIS (step by step)
Key criteria to rule out AIS
Key criteria to confirm AIS
Pitfalls
Is there lung consolidation?
Probe orientation/selection
Classifications of lung consolidation
Where and how to look for lung consolidation
(step by step)
Key criteria to rule out lung consolidations
Key criteria to confirm lung consolidations
Pitfalls
Is there pleural thickening and/or subpleural
irregularities?
Where and how to look for pleural thickening
and subpleural irregularities
Defining pleural thickening and subpleural
irregularities
Significance of pleural thickening and
subpleural irregularities
6. Lung and pleural space procedures
Thoracocentesis
Chest tube placement
Lung aspirate/biopsy

SØREN BOYSEN
DVM from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) and diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Emergency and Critical Care. Full professor of veterinary emergency and critical care at the University of Calgary.
KRIS GOMMEREN
Graduated in veterinary medicine from Ghent University (Belgium). Diplomate of the European College of
Veterinary Internal Medicine and of the European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Head
of the Emergency and Critical Care Service at the University of Liège.
SERGE CHALHOUB
Graduated from the DVM program at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV) of the University of Montreal
(Canada). Currently a senior instructor at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM).