The lung pulse in ultrasound refers to the subtle rhythmic movement of the visceral and parietal pleura, synchronized with cardiac activity, observed in the absence of lung sliding. This finding indicates visceral-parietal pleural adhesion, common in conditions like atelectasis or consolidation where the lung parenchyma is directly apposed to the chest wall.
Understanding the lung pulse is crucial in medical ultrasound, particularly in thoracic imaging, as it helps differentiate between various pulmonary pathologies. While lung sliding confirms aeration, the presence of a lung pulse, especially in the absence of pneumothorax, can guide clinicians towards specific diagnoses and further management strategies for lung conditions.
