Pulmonary edema, in the context of lung imaging, is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the extravascular spaces and alveoli of the lungs, typically due to increased pressure in the blood vessels or damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane. In medical ultrasound, this condition is visualized as B-lines (lung rockets), which are vertical, hyperechoic artifacts extending from the pleural line to the edge of the screen, indicative of thickened interlobular septa and interstitial fluid. Early detection via lung ultrasound is crucial for patient management.
For accurate medical and ultrasound diagnosis, recognizing pulmonary edema is vital. Lung ultrasound offers a rapid, non-invasive method to assess fluid overload and differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac causes of respiratory distress. Its application helps guide treatment, monitor response, and improve patient outcomes in various clinical settings, making “lung ultrasound B-lines” and “pulmonary edema imaging” key terms in modern critical care and emergency medicine.
