scholarly journals Advances in lung ultrasound

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel José Francisco Neto ◽  
Antonio Rahal Junior ◽  
Fabio Augusto Cardillo Vieira ◽  
Paulo Savoia Dias da Silva ◽  
Marcelo Buarque de Gusmão Funari
Keyword(s):  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Chest Ultrasonography ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Lung Consolidation ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Pleural Line ◽  
Sonographic Patterns ◽  
B Lines

ABSTRACT Ultrasound examination of the chest has advanced in recent decades. This imaging modality is currently used to diagnose several pathological conditions and provides qualitative and quantitative information. Acoustic barriers represented by the aerated lungs and the bony framework of the chest generate well-described sonographic artifacts that can be used as diagnostic aids. The normal pleural line and A, B, C, E and Z lines (also known as false B lines) are artifacts with specific characteristics. Lung consolidation and pneumothorax sonographic patterns are also well established. Some scanning protocols have been used in patient management. The Blue, FALLS and C.A.U.S.E. protocols are examples of algorithms using artifact combinations to achieve accurate diagnoses. Combined chest ultrasonography and radiography are often sufficient to diagnose and manage lung and chest wall conditions. Chest ultrasonography is a highly valuable diagnostic tool for radiologists, emergency and intensive care physicians.

scholarly journals Lung Ultrasound Patterns and Clinical-Laboratory Correlates during COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study from North East Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1288
Author(s):  
Riccardo Senter ◽  
Federico Capone ◽  
Stefano Pasqualin ◽  
Lorenzo Cerruti ◽  
Leonardo Molinari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
North East ◽  
High Flow Oxygen ◽  
B Lines

Background and Aim. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a convenient imaging modality in the setting of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) because it is easily available, can be performed bedside and repeated over time. We herein examined LUS patterns in relation to disease severity and disease stage among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods. We performed a retrospective case series analysis of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who were admitted to the hospital because of pneumonia. We recorded history, clinical parameters and medications. LUS was performed and scored in a standardized fashion by experienced operators, with evaluation of up to 12 lung fields, reporting especially on B-lines and consolidations. Results. We included 96 patients, 58.3% men, with a mean age of 65.9 years. Patients with a high-risk quick COVID-19 severity index (qCSI) were older and had worse outcomes, especially for the need for high-flow oxygen. B-lines and consolidations were located mainly in the lower posterior lung fields. LUS patterns for B-lines and consolidations were significantly worse in all lung fields among patients with high versus low qCSI. B-lines and consolidations were worse in the intermediate disease stage, from day 7 to 13 after onset of symptoms. While consolidations correlated more with inflammatory biomarkers, B-lines correlated more with end-organ damage, including extrapulmonary involvement. Conclusions. LUS patterns provide a comprehensive evaluation of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia that correlated with severity and dynamically reflect disease stage. LUS patterns may reflect different pathophysiological processes related to inflammation or tissue damage; consolidations may represent a more specific sign of localized disease, whereas B-lines seem to be also dependent upon generalized illness due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Advantages of lung ultrasound in triage, diagnosis and monitoring COVID-19 patients: review

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-76
Author(s):  
Bianca Emilia Ciurba ◽  
Hédi Katalin Sárközi ◽  
István Adorján Szabó ◽  
Nimród László ◽  
Edith Simona Ianosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Standard Protocol ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated Patients ◽  
Pleural Line ◽  
B Lines ◽  
Lung Sliding ◽  
Ventilated Patients

Abstract Over the last decades, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period, lung ultrasound (LUS) gained interest due to multiple advantages: radiation-free, repeatable, cost-effective, portable devices with a bedside approach. These advantages can help clinicians in triage, in positive diagnostic, stratification of disease forms according to severity and prognosis, evaluation of mechanically ventilated patients from Intensive Care Units, as well as monitoring the progress of COVID-19 lesions, thus reducing the health care contamination. LUS should be performed by standard protocol examination. The characteristic lesions from COVID-19 pneumonia are the abolished lung sliding, presence of multiple and coalescent B-lines, disruption and thickening of pleural line with subpleural consolidations. LUS is a useful method for post-COVID-19 lesions evaluation, highlight the remaining fibrotic lesions in some patients with moderate or severe forms of pneumonia.

scholarly journals Prognostic value of bedside lung ultrasound score in patients with COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ji ◽  
Chunyan Cao ◽  
Ying Gao ◽  
Wen Zhang ◽  
Yuji Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Value ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Cox Models ◽  
Pleural Line ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
B Lines

Abstract Background: Bedside lung ultrasound (LUS) has emerged as a useful and noninvasive tool to detect lung involvement and monitor changes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the clinical significance of the LUS score in patients with COVID-19 remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the LUS score in patients with COVID-19.Methods: The LUS protocol consisted of 12 scanning zones and was performed in 280 consecutive patients with COVID-19. The LUS score based on B-lines, lung consolidation and pleural line abnormalities was evaluated.Results: Patients in the highest LUS score group were more likely to have a lower lymphocyte percentage (LYM%); higher levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein, hypersensitive troponin I and creatine kinase muscle-brain; more invasive mechanical ventilation therapy; higher incidence of ARDS; and higher mortality than patients in the lowest LUS score group. After a median follow-up of 14 days [IQR, 10-20 days], 37 patients developed ARDS, and 13 died. Patients with adverse outcomes presented a higher rate of bilateral involvement; more involved zones and B-lines, pleural line abnormalities and consolidation; and a higher LUS score than event-free survivors. The Cox models adding the LUS score as a continuous variable (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.05, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.02～1.08; P < 0.001; Akaike Information Criterion [AIC] =272; C-index = 0.903) or as a categorical variable (HR: 10.76, 95% CI: 2.75～42.05; P = 0.001; AIC =272; C-index = 0.902) were found to predict poor outcomes more accurately than the basic model (AIC =286; C-index = 0.866). An LUS score cut-off >12 predicted adverse outcomes with a specificity and sensitivity of 90.5% and 91.9%, respectively.Conclusions: The LUS score devised by our group performs well at predicting adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and is important for risk stratification in COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Lung Ultrasound in Pediatric Asthma - Characterizing Baseline Findings Outside of Acute Exacerbations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah Marzook ◽  
Francois Gagnon ◽  
Alexandre Deragon ◽  
David Zielinski ◽  
Adam Shapiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Pediatric Asthma ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Asthmatic Children ◽  
Pleural Line ◽  
Acute Exacerbations ◽  
The Right ◽  
B Lines ◽  
Lung Zone

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been shown to be an effective tool to rapidly diagnose certain causes of pediatric respiratory distress in the emergency department. However, very little is known about LUS findings in pediatric asthma outside of acute exacerbations. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to characterize LUS findings in a cohort of pediatric patients with a definitive diagnosis of asthma, outside of an asthma exacerbation. Methods: Eligible patients, aged 6 to 17 years old and diagnosed with asthma, underwent LUS during an outpatient visit. LUS was conducted using a six-zone scanning protocol. A positive LUS was defined by one or more of the following: ≥3 B-lines per intercostal space, pulmonary consolidation and/or pleural anomaly. Images were interpreted by an expert sonographer blinded to patient clinical characteristics. Results: 52 patients were included. 10/52 patients had a positive LUS (19.2%, 95CI 8.3-30.1%). Of those with positive LUS findings, 8 had B lines, 7 had consolidations <1cm, 1 had a pleural line abnormality and 1 had a consolidation >1cm. Positive findings were seen in the right anterior and lateral zones in 60% of participants and were limited to 1-2 intercostal spaces within one lung zone in 100% of participants. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of LUS findings in outpatient pediatric asthma. Positive LUS findings in asthmatic children can be seen outside of acute exacerbations. Such findings need to be taken into consideration when using LUS for the acute evaluation of a pediatric patient with asthma.

scholarly journals Point-of-care lung ultrasound for the assessment of pneumonia: a narrative review in the COVID-19 era

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43
Author(s):  
Toru Kameda ◽  
Yoshihiro Mizuma ◽  
Hayato Taniguchi ◽  
Masato Fujita ◽  
Nobuyuki Taniguchi
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Consistent Finding ◽  
Short Period ◽  
B Lines

AbstractIn the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) era, point-of-care lung ultrasound (LUS) has attracted increased attention. Prospective studies on LUS for the assessment of pneumonia in adult patients were extensively carried out for more than 10 years before this era. None of these prospective studies attempted to differentiate bacterial and viral pneumonia in adult patients using LUS. The majority of studies considered the LUS examination to be positive if sonographic consolidations or multiple B-lines were observed. Significant differences existed in the accuracy of these studies. Some studies revealed that LUS showed superior sensitivity to chest X-ray. These results indicate that point-of-care LUS has the potential to be an initial imaging modality for the diagnosis of pneumonia. The LUS diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units is more challenging in comparison with the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia in emergency departments due to the limited access to the mechanically ventilated patients and the high prevalence of atelectasis. However, several studies have demonstrated that the combination of LUS findings with other clinical markers improved the diagnostic accuracy. In the COVID-19 era, many case reports and small observational studies on COVID-19 pneumonia have been published in a short period. Multiple B-lines were the most common and consistent finding in COVID-19 pneumonia. Serial LUS showed the deterioration of the disease. The knowledge and ideas on the application of LUS in the management of pneumonia that are expected to accumulate in the COVID-19 era may provide us with clues regarding more appropriate management.

scholarly journals Lung ultrasound and neonatal COVID-19 pneumonia: A case report.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Ibarra Ríos ◽  
Dina Villanueva García ◽  
Edna Patricia Vázquez Solano ◽  
Alfonso de Jesús Martínez García ◽  
María Yolotzin Valdespino-Vázquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Male Infant ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pleural Line ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
B Lines

Abstract Introduction: Severe Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in neonates is possible but reports are scarce. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been reported useful for triaging, diagnosing, and monitoring of patients with COVID-19.Material and methods: We describe SARS-CoV-2 confirmed infection on a term newborn that developed pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension requiring mechanical ventilation. Ultrasonographic follow up of COVID-19 pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension was carried out. Histopathological and genetic study of the placenta was performed. Results: A 3,140-g male infant born at 40.3 weeks’ gestation developed progressive respiratory distress (pulmonary hypertension) requiring mechanical ventilation. Real time PCR respiratory tract swabs for SARS COV 2 sampled on day 3 were positive for the baby and both parents. Lung ultrasound showed an irregular pleural line (shred sign), multiple confluent B-lines and bilateral ≥ 0.5 cm subpleural consolidations. Improvement of the lung and cardiac conditions were documented by ultrasound. The newborn was supported 6 days with mechanical ventilation, 3 days on CPAP and 3 days on oxygen. No antibiotics were used. The placenta showed histological findings linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection. RT-PCR from placental tissue showed amplification of viral E gene.Conclusion: Our case represents a severe presentation of COVID-19 pneumonia with pulmonary hypertension requiring mechanical ventilation. LUS showed to be useful for diagnosis and follow up. Transversal infection was possible.

Are Subpleural Consolidations on Lung Ultrasound Early Findings of Acute Chest Syndrome?

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 4869-4869
Author(s):  
Stephanie G. Cohen ◽  
Zayir M Malik ◽  
Robert Hagbom ◽  
Samuel H Friedman ◽  
Stephen T Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Acute Chest Syndrome ◽  
P Value ◽  
Pediatric Radiologist ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Lung Consolidation ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Background: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a common complication in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.Chest X-ray (CXR) is recommended for evaluating ACS in patients with SCD because clinical findings alone have a low sensitivity. Children with SCD are repeatedly exposed to diagnostic radiation for the evaluation of ACS. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been compared to CXR as an alternative imaging modality for evaluating ACS, and a lung consolidation > 1 cm is sensitive and specific for diagnosing patients with ACS. Consolidations < 1 cm, or subpleural consolidations, can detect pneumonia earlier than CXR; however, the significance of these findings for evaluating ACS is unknown. We evaluated LUS with consolidations <1 cm to determine if they could identify patients with ACS. Methods: This is a prospective observational study that took place from November 2014-July 2016 in 2 urban pediatric emergency departments (EDs). The study population consisted of a convenience sample of patients with SCD from birth to 18 years of age at risk for ACS and who received a clinically-indicated CXR for suspected ACS. ACS was defined as a new pulmonary infiltrate on CXR together with the presence of fever, cough, chest pain, or respiratory symptoms. LUS were performed to evaluate for lung consolidation and determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-) of LUS to identify ACS. In a subanalysis, the charts of patients who had a negative CXR interpreted by a pediatric radiologist or consolidation < 1 cm on LUS at the time of enrollment were reviewed for development of ACS within 7 days of the visit. The development of ACS in patients with subpleural findings on LUS was compared to patients with negative ultrasound findings. Fischer's-Exact Test was used to determine significance between the 2 groups with α = 0.05. Results: One hundred sixty-eight patients were enrolled. ACS was diagnosed in 14% of patients, while a CXR was negative in 150 cases. The sensitivity of LUS to predict ACS was 91%, specificity was 91%, LR+ 10.5, LR- 0.1. Thirty-six cases had subpleural consolidation on LUS and 3 patients (8%) developed ACS. Of the 114 patients with negative LUS, 7 (6%) developed ACS. There was no statistical difference between these groups with p-value of 0.7. Conclusions: Patients with subpleural consolidations on LUS were no more likely to develop ACS than those patients with a negative LUS. The small number of patients who developed ACS may have failed to show a statistical difference between these groups. Further studies with serial ultrasound examinations are needed to better define the significance of this finding. Disclosures Morris: MAST: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Calithera: Consultancy; Nourish Life: Patents & Royalties: I am the inventor of IP owned by UCSF-Benioff Children's Hospital that is licensed to NL; Endeavor: Consultancy; Nestle: Honoraria.

scholarly journals Artifactual Lung Ultrasonography: It Is a Matter of Traps, Order, and Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gino Soldati ◽  
Andrea Smargiassi ◽  
Libertario Demi ◽  
Riccardo Inchingolo
Keyword(s):  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Past ◽  
Order And Disorder ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
B Lines

When inspecting the lung with standard ultrasound B-mode imaging, numerous artifacts can be visualized. These artifacts are useful to recognize and evaluate several pathological conditions in Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine. More recently, the interest of the Pulmonologists has turned to the echographic study of the interstitial pathology of the lung. In fact, all lung pathologies which increase the density of the tissue, and do not consolidate the organ, are characterized by the presence of ultrasound artifacts. Many studies of the past have only assessed the number of vertical artifacts (generally known as B-Lines) as a sign of disease severity. However, recent observations suggest that the appearance of the individual artifacts, their variability, and their internal structure, may play a role for a non-invasive characterization of the surface of the lungs, directing the diagnoses and identifying groups of diseases. In this review, we discuss the meaning of lung ultrasound artifacts, and introduce hypothesis on the correlation between their presence and the structural variation of the sub-pleural tissue in light of current knowledge of the acoustic properties of the pleural plane.

scholarly journals Prognostic value of bedside lung ultrasound score in patients with COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ji ◽  
Chunyan Cao ◽  
Ying Gao ◽  
Wen Zhang ◽  
Yuji Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Value ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Cox Models ◽  
Pleural Line ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
B Lines

Abstract BackgroundBedside lung ultrasound (LUS) has emerged as a useful and noninvasive tool to detect lung involvement and monitor changes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the clinical significance of the LUS score in patients with COVID-19 remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the LUS score in patients with COVID-19.MethodsThe LUS protocol consisted of 12 scanning zones and was performed in 280 consecutive patients with COVID-19. The LUS score based on B-lines, lung consolidation and pleural line abnormalities was evaluated.ResultsPatients in the highest LUS score group were more likely to have a lower lymphocyte percentage (LYM%); higher levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein, hypersensitive troponin I and creatine kinase muscle-brain; more invasive mechanical ventilation therapy; higher incidence of ARDS; and higher mortality than patients in the lowest LUS score group. After a median follow-up of 14 days [IQR, 10-20 days], 37 patients developed ARDS, and 13 died. Patients with adverse outcomes presented a higher rate of bilateral involvement; more involved zones and B-lines, pleural line abnormalities and consolidation; and a higher LUS score than event-free survivors. The Cox models adding the LUS score as a continuous variable ( hazard ratio [HR] : 1.05, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.02～1.08; P < 0.001; Akaike Information Criterion [AIC] =272; C-index = 0.903) or as a categorical variable (HR: 10.76, 95% CI: 2.75～42.05; P = 0.001; AIC =272; C-index = 0.902) were found to predict poor outcomes more accurately than the basic model ( AIC =286; C-index = 0. 866). An LUS score cut-off >12 predicted adverse outcomes with a specificity and sensitivity of 90.5% and 91.9%, respectively.ConclusionsThe LUS score is a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and is important for risk stratification in COVID-19 patients.

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