Lung sliding, a crucial finding in lung ultrasound, refers to the shimmering, synchronized movement of the visceral and parietal pleura during respiration. This phenomenon indicates that the two pleural layers are in direct contact and slide freely over each other with each breath. The presence of lung sliding is a primary indicator of a healthy, aerated lung and is essential for ruling out pneumothorax.
Absence of lung sliding, conversely, is a key sign of pneumothorax, where air in the pleural space separates the lung from the chest wall, preventing their normal movement. This absence can also be seen in conditions like atelectasis or pleural adhesions. Assessing lung sliding is a rapid and non-invasive method for immediate diagnostic insights in various medical and emergency settings.
