ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the value of ultrasound diagnosing for hydropneumothorax. Methods In a prospective double-blind randomized concurrent controlled trial. 213 patients doubted pneumotborax were exam-ined with CT, senography and conventional radiography. Results In 213 cases, hydropneumothorax diagnosed in 30 hemithoraces of 30 patients by CT,29 hemitboraces by ultrasound and 22 hemithoraces by X-ray. The sensitivity, nega-tive predictive value,accuracy by ultrasound and X-ray were 96.7% vs 73.3% ,99.8% vs 98.0% ,99.8 vs 98.1% respectively(P<0.05), the specificity and positive predictive value of both ultrasound and X-ray were 100%. Ultra-sound surpassed the X-ray in detecting pneumothorax ( McNemar test P<0.025 ). Conclusion If ultrasound is served to detect pneumothorax, it can make up the defects of the methods commonly used cuxrently.