The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?

Diaphragm ultrasound makes it possible to diagnose diaphragmatic atrophy and dysfunction. Important indications include unclear dyspnea; diaphragmatic elevation; assessment of diaphragm dysfunction in pulmonary, neuromuscular and neurovascular diseases; and in critically ill patients before noninvas...

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Main Authors: Kathleen Möller, Max Saborio, Heike Gottschall, Michael Blaivas, Adrian C. Borges, Susanne Morf, Burkhard Möller, Christoph F. Dietrich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/239
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author Kathleen Möller
Max Saborio
Heike Gottschall
Michael Blaivas
Adrian C. Borges
Susanne Morf
Burkhard Möller
Christoph F. Dietrich
author_facet Kathleen Möller
Max Saborio
Heike Gottschall
Michael Blaivas
Adrian C. Borges
Susanne Morf
Burkhard Möller
Christoph F. Dietrich
author_sort Kathleen Möller
collection DOAJ
description Diaphragm ultrasound makes it possible to diagnose diaphragmatic atrophy and dysfunction. Important indications include unclear dyspnea; diaphragmatic elevation; assessment of diaphragm dysfunction in pulmonary, neuromuscular and neurovascular diseases; and in critically ill patients before noninvasive and mechanical ventilation and follow-up of diaphragm thickness and function during mechanical ventilation with potential prediction of prolonged weaning. In patients with respiratory insufficiency and potential diaphragm dysfunction, it is possible to objectify the contribution of diaphragm dysfunction. In addition, assessment of diaphragmatic hernias, tumors and diaphragmatic dysfunction in COVID-19 and diaphragmatic ultrasound in sports medicine have been described. This narrative review includes the sonomorphology of the diaphragm, standardization of ultrasonographic investigation with transducer positions and ultrasound techniques, normal findings and diagnostic criteria for pathological findings. The correct sonographic measurement, calculation and evaluation can ultimately influence further therapeutic procedures for the patient suffering from diaphragm dysfunction in various diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-e66f77481e3b4a1ab4bebb0c064e28332025-08-20T03:12:22ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-02-0115223910.3390/life15020239The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?Kathleen Möller0Max Saborio1Heike Gottschall2Michael Blaivas3Adrian C. Borges4Susanne Morf5Burkhard Möller6Christoph F. Dietrich7Medical Department I/Gastroenterology, SANA Hospital Lichtenberg, 10365 Berlin, GermanyDepartment General Internal Medicine (DAIM), Hospitals Hirslanden Bern Beau Site, Salem and Permanence, 3013 Bern, SwitzerlandMedical Department I/Gastroenterology, SANA Hospital Lichtenberg, 10365 Berlin, GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29209, USAMedical Department II/Cardiology, SANA Hospital Lichtenberg, 10365 Berlin, GermanyCenter da Sandà Val Müstair, 7536 Sta. Maria, SwitzerlandDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment General Internal Medicine (DAIM), Hospitals Hirslanden Bern Beau Site, Salem and Permanence, 3013 Bern, SwitzerlandDiaphragm ultrasound makes it possible to diagnose diaphragmatic atrophy and dysfunction. Important indications include unclear dyspnea; diaphragmatic elevation; assessment of diaphragm dysfunction in pulmonary, neuromuscular and neurovascular diseases; and in critically ill patients before noninvasive and mechanical ventilation and follow-up of diaphragm thickness and function during mechanical ventilation with potential prediction of prolonged weaning. In patients with respiratory insufficiency and potential diaphragm dysfunction, it is possible to objectify the contribution of diaphragm dysfunction. In addition, assessment of diaphragmatic hernias, tumors and diaphragmatic dysfunction in COVID-19 and diaphragmatic ultrasound in sports medicine have been described. This narrative review includes the sonomorphology of the diaphragm, standardization of ultrasonographic investigation with transducer positions and ultrasound techniques, normal findings and diagnostic criteria for pathological findings. The correct sonographic measurement, calculation and evaluation can ultimately influence further therapeutic procedures for the patient suffering from diaphragm dysfunction in various diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/239diaphragm dysfunctionultrasonographic diagnosisdiaphragm thicknessdiaphragm thickening fractionamplitude
spellingShingle Kathleen Möller
Max Saborio
Heike Gottschall
Michael Blaivas
Adrian C. Borges
Susanne Morf
Burkhard Möller
Christoph F. Dietrich
The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?
Life
diaphragm dysfunction
ultrasonographic diagnosis
diaphragm thickness
diaphragm thickening fraction
amplitude
title The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?
title_full The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?
title_fullStr The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?
title_full_unstemmed The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?
title_short The Perception of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound: Always There Yet Overlooked?
title_sort perception of the diaphragm with ultrasound always there yet overlooked
topic diaphragm dysfunction
ultrasonographic diagnosis
diaphragm thickness
diaphragm thickening fraction
amplitude
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/239
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