Fig. 2

Ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic thickness and diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF). Diaphragmatic thickness was assessed in B-mode at end-inspiration (upper panel) and end-expiration (lower panel) during quiet breathing. The white arrows indicate pleural layer and peritoneal layer. Diaphragm is between the 2 layers. The dashed line between the 2 crosses indicates diaphragm thickness; its value is shown at left lower corner of the image. DTF is defined as the diaphragmatic thickness at end-inspiration minus the diaphragmatic thickness at end-expiration (TEE) divided by the TEE, expressed as percentage