Ultrasound of the pediatric diaphragm

  • Patient preparation: none
  • Contrast used: none
  • Technique: patient should be breathing on their own off of ventilator, also have the patient perform a sniff test with the patient taking a few quick short breaths in with a closed mouth
  • Images to obtain: sagittal grayscale images of each hemidiaphragm individually during normal breathing through inspiration and expiration and while sniffing, transverse grayscale images including both hemidiaphragms together during normal breathing through inspiration and expiration and while sniffing, B-mode images of each hemidiaphragm during normal breathing through inspiration and expiration and while sniffing
  • Looking for: grayscale images do not show normal diaphragm excursion during inspiration and expiration, B-mode images show decreased diaphragm motion
  • Post procedure tasks: none