A Common Misunderstanding in Lung Ultrasound: The Comet Tail Artifact

Abstract

Lung ultrasound diagnosis depends on the interpretation of changes or loss in the natural artifacts produce by lung air. Several vertical linear lung artifacts have been described, of which two stands out as being the most important: the comet tail artifact and B-lines. The term “comet tail artifact” are often loosely used to describe any kind of vertical lung artifacts, creating some confusion. Comet tails, B-lines and one of their cousins: The Z-line, have been presented as “comet tails” in common literature and publications. However, these three entities have distinct genesis, appearances and diagnostic significance. A clarification of term “comet tail” goes a long way to remove the barriers of interpreting, communicating and learning lung ultrasound findings.