Pneumothorax

Feature

Seashore Sign

Barcode Sign

Other Names

Sandy beach sign

Stratosphere sign

Definition

Normal lung sliding on M-mode ultrasound.

Absence of lung sliding on M-mode ultrasound.

Appearance

Wavy pattern below the pleural line (sea) with a static pattern above it (shore).

Uniform horizontal parallel lines resembling a barcode.

Seen in

Normal lungs

Pneumothorax

Underlying Physiology

Indicates normal contact and sliding of visceral and parietal pleura.

Indicates separation of pleural layers by air, preventing sliding.

Clinical Significance

Confirms the absence of pneumothorax in the scanned region.

Suggestive of pneumothorax in the scanned region.

Diagnostic Mode

M-mode ultrasound

M-mode ultrasound

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