Nuts and bolts of lung ultrasound: utility, scanning techniques, protocols, and findings in common pathologies.

Point of Care ultrasound (POCUS) of the lungs, also known as lung ultrasound (LUS), has emerged as a technique that allows for the diagnosis of many respiratory pathologies with greater accuracy and speed compared to conventional techniques such as chest x-ray and auscultation. The goal of this narrative review is to provide a simple and practical approach to LUS for critical care, pulmonary, and anesthesia providers, as well as respiratory therapists and other health care providers to be able to implement this technique into their clinical practice. In this review, we will discuss the basic physics of LUS, provide a hands-on scanning technique, describe LUS findings seen in normal and pathological conditions (such as mainstem intubation, pneumothorax, atelectasis, pneumonia, aspiration, COPD exacerbation, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, ARDS, and pleural effusion) and also review the training necessary to achieve competence in LUS.

Patent ductus arteriosus and the association between lung ultrasound score and bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a secondary analysis of a prospective study.

Moderate-to-large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has been linked to increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), while lung ultrasound score (LUS) has been demonstrated to accurately predict BPD. We aimed to investigate the correlation of LUS as a marker of interstitial pulmonary edema and the severity of the ductal shunt in predicting future BPD development in very preterm infants. This secondary analysis of a prospective study recruited preterm infants with gestational age < 30 weeks. LUS on postnatal days 7 and 14, and echocardiographic data [PDA diameter and left atrium-to-aortic root ratio (LA/Ao)] near LUS acquisition were collected. Correlation coefficient, logistics regression analysis, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) procedure were used. A statistically significant and positive correlation existed between LUS and PDA diameter (ρ = 0.415, ρ = 0.581, and p < 0.001) and LA/Ao (ρ = 0.502, ρ = 0.743, and p < 0.001) at postnatal days 7 and 14, respectively, and the correlations of LUS and echocardiographic data were generally stronger in the non-BPD group. In the prediction of BPD, LUS incorporating echocardiographic data at postnatal days 7 obtained significantly higher predictive performance compared to LUS alone (AUROC 0.878 [95% CI 0.801-0.932] vs. AUROC 0.793 [95% CI 0.706-0.865]; Delong test, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: There is a statistically significant correlation between LUS and echocardiographic data, suggesting their potential role as early predictors for respiratory outcomes in very preterm infants. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Lung ultrasound score (LUS) has shown good reliability in predicting bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development. • Some echocardiographic data that characterized ventricular function was reported to be used to predict severe BPD. WHAT IS NEW: • There is a positive and statistically significant correlation between LUS and echocardiographic data at postnatal days 7 and 14. • The integrated use of LUS and echocardiographic data may have potential value in predicting BPD.

Lung Ultrasound Prediction Model for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Rationale: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising tool for diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but adequately sized studies with external validation are lacking. Objectives: To develop and validate a data-driven LUS score for diagnosis of ARDS and compare its performance with that of chest radiography (CXR). Methods: This multicenter prospective observational study included invasively ventilated ICU patients who were divided into a derivation cohort and a validation cohort. Three raters scored ARDS according to the Berlin criteria, resulting in a classification of "certain no ARDS," or "certain ARDS" when experts agreed or "uncertain ARDS" when evaluations conflicted. Uncertain cases were classified in a consensus meeting. Results of a 12-region LUS exam were used in a logistic regression model to develop the LUS-ARDS score. Measurements and Main Results: Three hundred twenty-four (16% certain ARDS) and 129 (34% certain ARDS) patients were included in the derivation cohort and the validation cohort, respectively. With an ARDS diagnosis by the expert panel as the reference test, the LUS-ARDS score, including the left and right LUS aeration scores and anterolateral pleural line abnormalities, had an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.95) in certain patients of the derivation cohort and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.72-0.87) in all patients of the validation cohort. Within patients who had imaging-gold standard chest computed tomography available, diagnostic accuracy of eight independent CXR readers followed the ROC curve of the LUS-ARDS score. Conclusions: The LUS-ARDS score can be used to accurately diagnose ARDS also after external validation. The LUS-ARDS score may be a useful adjunct to a diagnosis of ARDS after further validation, as it showed performance comparable with that of the current practice with experienced CXR readers but more objectifiable diagnostic accuracy at each cutoff.

Web-based objective and structured assessment of point-of-care lung ultrasound skills in resource-limited settings.

BACKGROUND: Objective assessment of skills after training is essential for safe implementation of lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). In low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) there is a need for assessment tools without onsite experts to scale up POCUS access. Our objective is to develop a web-based assessment tool and evaluate trainees across different countries and at different time points after initial lung POCUS training. METHODS: We adapted the objective and validated lung ultrasound score (LUS-OSAUS) to a web-based tool with quiz and practical skills test. Trainees were evaluated after a short (4-day) standardized lung POCUS training and were classified in distinct groups according to (i) their geographical location (Benin vs. South-Africa) and (ii) time elapsed since training (Benin 0 months vs. Benin 6 months). The Benin 6 months group had minimal continuous education. Skills test images were read by two blinded experts. We report the overall success rates and then compare these rates based on location and timing since training, using the Fischer's exact test. RESULTS: A total of 35 out of 43 participants completed the online LUS-OSAUS quiz and skills test. The overall success rate was 0.84 (95%CI 0.80-0.88), with lower success rates for "correct depth" 0.54 (0.37-0.71), "correct assessment of pleura" 0.63 (0.45-0.79) and "conclusion" 0.71 (0.54-0.85). There were no differences based on location, with respective rates of 0.86 (0.80-0.92) and 0.83 (0.75-0.91) (p-value = 0.125) for Benin and South Africa at 0 months, respectively. Similarly, there were no differences according to timing with success rates of 0.86 (0.80-0.92) and 0.82 (0.72-0.93) (p-value = 0.563) for Benin at 0 months and 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Web-based objective and structured assessment of lung POCUS skills in LMIC following a short-standardized training is feasible and has a good overall success rate with consistent results across regions and up to 6 months after training given minimal continuous education. Overall, technical and POCUS-based clinical conclusion skills are the most difficult to acquire.

Lung ultrasound training: how short is too short? observational study on the effects of a focused theoretical training for novice learners.

BACKGROUND: Lung ultrasound has been increasingly used in the last years for the assessment of patients with respiratory diseases; it is considered a simple technique, now spreading from physicians to other healthcare professionals as nurses and physiotherapists, as well as to medical students. These providers may require a different training to acquire lung ultrasound skills, since they are expected to have no previous experience with ultrasound. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a short theoretical training focused on lung ultrasound pattern recognition in a population of novice nurse learners with no previous experience with ultrasound. METHODS: We included the nurses attending a critical care advanced course for nurses performed at the University of Pavia. Images' interpretation skills were tested on two slide sets (a 25-clip set focused on B-pattern recognition and a 25-clip set focused on identification of pleural movement as lung sliding, lung pulse, lung point, no movement) before and after three 30-minute teaching modules dedicated to general ultrasound principles, B-lines assessment and lung sliding assessment. A cut off of 80% was considered acceptable for correctly interpreted images after this basic course. RESULTS: 22 nurses were enrolled (age 26.0 [24.0-28.0] years; men 4 (18%)); one nurse had previous experience with other ultrasound techniques, none of them had previous experience with lung ultrasound. After the training, the number of correctly interpreted clips improved from 3.5 [0.0-13.0] to 22.0 [19.0-23.0] (p < 0.0001) for B-pattern and from 0.5 [0.0-2.0] to 8.5 [6.0-12.0] (p < 0.0001) for lung sliding assessment. The number of correct answers for B-pattern recognition was significantly higher than for lung sliding assessment, both before (3.5 [0.0-13.0] vs. 0.5 [0.0-2.0]; p = 0.0036) and after (22.0 [19.0-23.0] vs. 8.5 [6.0-12.0]; p < 0.0001) the training. After the training, nurses were able to correctly recognize the presence or the absence of a B-pattern in 84.2 ± 10.3% of cases; lung sliding was correctly assessed in 37.1 ± 15.3% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Lung ultrasound is considered a simple technique; while a short, focused training significantly improves B-pattern recognition, lung sliding assessment may require a longer training for novice learners. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Localization of Catecholaminergic Neurofibers in Pregnant Cervix as a Possible Myometrial Pacemaker.

In eutocic labor, the autonomic nervous system is dominated by the parasympathetic system, which ensures optimal blood flow to the uterus and placenta. This study is focused on the detection of the quantitative presence of catecholamine (C) neurofibers in the internal uterine orifice (IUO) and in the lower uterine segment (LUS) of the pregnant uterus, which could play a role in labor and delivery. A total of 102 women were enrolled before their submission to a scheduled cesarean section (CS); patients showed a singleton fetus in a cephalic presentation outside labor. During CS, surgeons sampled two serial consecutive full-thickness sections 5 mm in depth (including the myometrial layer) on the LUS and two randomly selected samples of 5 mm depth from the IUO of the cervix. All histological samples were studied to quantify the distribution of A nerve fibers. The authors demonstrated a significant and notably higher concentration of A fibers in the IUO (46 ± 4.8) than in the LUS (21 ± 2.6), showing that the pregnant cervix has a greater concentration of A neurofibers than the at-term LUS. Pregnant women's mechanosensitive pacemakers can operate normally when the body is in a physiological state, which permits normal uterine contractions and eutocic delivery. The increased frequency of C neurofibers in the cervix may influence the smooth muscle cell bundles' activation, which could cause an aberrant mechano-sensitive pacemaker activation-deactivation cycle. Stressful circumstances (anxiety, tension, fetal head position) cause the sympathetic nervous system to become more active, working through these nerve fibers in the gravid cervix. They might interfere with the mechano-sensitive pacemakers, slowing down the uterine contractions and cervix ripening, which could result in dystocic labor.

Lung ultrasound in a nutshell. Lines, signs, some applications, and misconceptions from a radiologist's point of view. Part 2.

In recent years, lung ultrasound (LUS) has developed rapidly, and it is gaining growing popularity in various scenarios. There are constant attempts to introduce it to new fields. In addition, knowledge regarding lung and LUS has been augmented by the recent COVID-19 pandemics. In the first part of this review we discuss lines, signs and pheno-mena, profiles, some applications, and misconceptions. An aim of the second part of the review is mainly to discuss some advanced applications of LUS, including lung elastography, lung spectroscopy, colour and spectral Doppler, contrast-enhanced ultrasound of lung, speckled tracking of pleura, quantification of pulmonary oedema, predicting success of talc pleurodesis, asthma exacerbations, detecting chest wall invasion by tumours, lung biopsy, estimating pleural effusion volume, and predicting mechanical ventilatory weaning outcome. For this purpose, we reviewed literature concerning LUS.

The value of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 pneumonia, verified by high resolution computed tomography assessed by artificial intelligence.

BACKGROUND: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an increasingly popular imaging method in clinical practice. It became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its mobility and ease of use compared to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The objective of this study was to assess the value of LUS in quantifying the degree of lung involvement and in discrimination of lesion types in the course of COVID-19 pneumonia as compared to HRCT analyzed by the artificial intelligence (AI). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study including adult patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in whom initial HRCT and LUS were performed with an interval < 72 h. HRCT assessment was performed automatically by AI. We evaluated the correlations between the inflammation volume assessed both in LUS and HRCT, between LUS results and the HRCT structure of inflammation, and between LUS and the laboratory markers of inflammation. Additionally we compared the LUS results in subgroups depending on the respiratory failure throughout the hospitalization. RESULTS: Study group comprised 65 patients, median 63 years old. For both lungs, the median LUS score was 19 (IQR-interquartile range 11-24) and the median CT score was 22 (IQR 16-26). Strong correlations were found between LUS and CT scores (for both lungs r = 0.75), and between LUS score and percentage inflammation volume (PIV) (r = 0.69). The correlations remained significant, if weakened, for individual lung lobes. The correlations between LUS score and the value of the percentage consolidation volume (PCV) divided by percentage ground glass volume (PGV), were weak or not significant. We found significant correlation between LUS score and C-reactive protein (r = 0.55), and between LUS score and interleukin 6 (r = 0.39). LUS score was significantly higher in subgroups with more severe respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: LUS can be regarded as an accurate method to evaluate the extent of COVID-19 pneumonia and as a promising tool to estimate its clinical severity. Evaluation of LUS in the assessment of the structure of inflammation, requires further studies in the course of the disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been preregistered 13 Aug 2020 on clinicaltrials.gov with the number NCT04513210.

Comparison of lung ultrasound scores with clinical models for predicting bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Lung ultrasound scores (LUSs) have been demonstrated to accurately predict moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (msBPD). This study attempted to explore the additional value of LUSs for predicting msBPD compared to clinical multivariate models in different gestational age (GA) groups. The study prospectively recruited preterm infants with GA < 32 weeks. Lung ultrasound was performed on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after birth. A linear mixed-effects regression model was used to evaluate LUS evolution in infants born before and after 28 weeks. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) procedure was used to analyze the reliability of LUS and clinical multivariable models for predicting msBPD. The optimal time to predict msBPD in all infants was 7 days with a cut-off point of 5 (area under the ROC (AUROC) curve: 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.84). In infants with GA ≥ 28 weeks, LUSs provided a moderate diagnostic accuracy for all four time points (AUROC curve: 0.74-0.78), and the AUROC curve for the clinical multivariable model on day 14 was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.84-0.96), which was significantly higher than that of LUSs (AUROC curve: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.68-0.85, P < 0.05). In infants born at 23-27 weeks, LUSs showed a low diagnostic accuracy with higher cut-off points to predict msBPD, and the AUROC curve for GA to predict msBPD was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59-0.85), providing diagnostic accuracy similar to that of LUSs.  Conclusion: The contribution of LUSs to predict msBPD in infants with different GAs remains controversial and requires further investigation. What is Known: • Lung ultrasound scores (LUSs) have been demonstrated to accurately predict moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infants with gestational age (GA)＜32 weeks. What is New: • The LUSs evolution differed between extremely preterm infants born before 28 weeks and preterm infants born at 28-32 weeks of gestation. • LUSs provided similar moderate predictive performance as GA-adjusted LUS and clinical multivariate models in infants born after 28 weeks, while LUSs seem to be less helpful in infants born before 28 weeks.

Effect of individualized PEEP titration by ultrasonography on perioperative pulmonary protection and postoperative cognitive function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) lung protection ventilation strategy by combining driving pressure (ΔP) and pulmonary ultrasound (LUS)-based titration on lung function and postoperative cognitive function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: A total of 108 patients with COPD undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. They were randomly divided into three groups (n = 36): traditional volume ventilation group (Group C), fixed PEEP 5 cmH2O group (Group P), and ΔP combined with LUS-based PEEP titration in the resuscitation room group (Group T). All three groups were given volume ventilation mode, I:E = 1:2; In group C, VT was 10 mL/kg and PEEP was 0 cmH2O; In groups P and T, VT was 6 mL/kg and PEEP was 5 cmH2O; After mechanical ventilation for 15 min in Group T, ΔP in combination with LUS was used to titrate PEEP. The oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2), airway platform pressure (Pplat), dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and venous interleukin-6(IL-6) were recorded at the corresponding time points, and the final PEEP value in Group T was recorded. RESULTS: The final PEEP value of Group T was (6.4 ± 1.2) cmH2O; Compared with groups C and P: PaO2/FiO2 and Cdyn in Group T were significantly increased (P < 0.05) and value of IL-6 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at the corresponding time points. Compared with group C, the MoCA score on day 7 after surgery in Group T was significantly higher (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the traditional ventilation strategy, the individualized ΔP combined with LUS-based PEEP titration in patients with COPD during the perioperative period of laparoscopic surgery can play a better role in lung protection and can improve postoperative cognitive function.

Lung Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of bedside lung ultrasound (LUS) and LUS scores in the evaluating and grading of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). METHODS: We performed a prospective study on 80 children with suspected NRDS. Infants with a PaO2 -to-FiO2 ratio of <200, 200-300, and >300 mmHg were categorized as the "severe-NRDS group," "mild-NRDS group," and "non-NRDS group," respectively. Left and right lungs were divided into six areas, respectively. For each lung area, a 0- to 3-point score was given. RESULTS: The most common ultrasonic signs of NRDS include bilateral coalescent B-lines, thickened pleural line, and white lung without spared areas. Moreover, different LUS scores among non-NRDS, mild-NRDS, and severe-NRDS groups were identified (6.00 ± 4.033, 25.82 ± 3.778 and 27.90 ± 4.071, respectively; P < .05). When the cutoff value of LUS score was selected as 13 for the differentiation of non-NRDS from NRDS, the sensitivity and specificity were 96.9% and 93.3%, respectively, and the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was 0.938 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-1.00). With a cutoff value of 26.5 for the differentiation between mild- and severe-ARDS, the AUC of ROC curve of the LUS score was 0.707 (95% CI, 0.58-0.83). Similar results were revealed as those with chest X-ray. CONCLUSION: This study showed that LUS and LUS scores complement each other, and are highly reliable and efficient in bedside radiological diagnostic investigations in newborns with NRDS.

New International Guidelines and Consensus on the Use of Lung Ultrasound.

Following the innovations and new discoveries of the last 10 years in the field of lung ultrasound (LUS), a multidisciplinary panel of international LUS experts from six countries and from different fields (clinical and technical) reviewed and updated the original international consensus for point-of-care LUS, dated 2012. As a result, a total of 20 statements have been produced. Each statement is complemented by guidelines and future developments proposals. The statements are furthermore classified based on their nature as technical (5), clinical (11), educational (3), and safety (1) statements.

Lung ultrasound in a nutshell. Lines, signs, some applications, and misconceptions from a radiologist's point of view.

In recent years, lung ultrasound (LUS) has developed rapidly, and it is growing in popularity in various scenarios. It has become especially popular among clinicians. There are constant attempts to introduce it in new fields, with quite a strong resistance in the radiological community. In addition, knowledge regarding lung and LUS has been augmented by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, this has led to many misconceptions. The aim of this review is to discuss lines, signs, and phenomena that can be seen in LUS in order to create a single, easily available compendium for radiologists and promote consistency in LUS nomenclature. Some simplified suggestions are presented.

Lung Ultrasound to Diagnose Pulmonary Congestion Among Patients on Hemodialysis: Comparison of Full Versus Abbreviated Scanning Protocols.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary congestion contributes to morbidity and mortality in patients with kidney failure on hemodialysis, but physical assessment is an insensitive approach to its detection. Lung ultrasound is useful for assessing the presence and severity of pulmonary congestion, but the most widely validated 28-zone study is cumbersome. We sought to compare abbreviated 4-, 6-, and 8-zone studies to 28-zone studies. STUDY DESIGN: Diagnostic test study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 98 patients with kidney failure on hemodialysis presenting to an emergency department in the United States. TESTS COMPARED: 4-, 6-, and 8-zone lung ultrasound studies versus a 28-zone lung ultrasound. OUTCOME: Prediction of pulmonary congestion and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: All patients completed a 28-zone lung ultrasound. Correlation coefficients (nonparametric Spearman) between each of the studies were high (all values > 0.84). Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement. Each of the short-form studies discriminated well with area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve > 0.83 for no-to-mild versus moderate-to-severe pulmonary congestion. During a median follow-up period of 778 days, 46 (47%) died. Patients with moderate-to-severe pulmonary congestion on lung ultrasound had a 30-day mortality rate similar to that observed among patients with no-to-mild pulmonary congestion (OR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.70-1.29]). LIMITATIONS: Single-center study conducted in an emergency care setting, convenience sample of patients, and lack of long-term follow-up data. CONCLUSIONS: Among hemodialysis patients presenting to an emergency department, 4-, 6-, or 8-zone lung ultrasounds were comparable to 28-zone studies for the assessment of pulmonary congestion. The mortality rates did not differ between those with no-to-mild and moderate-to-severe pulmonary congestion.

Efficacy and safety of ligation-assisted endoscopic submucosal resection combined with endoscopic ultrasonography for treatment of rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (R-NETs) usually invade the submucosa, and so complete resection is difficult. The treatment of choice for R-NETs ≤10 mm in size is endoscopic resection, but there is still controversy concerning the best endoscopic method. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ligation-assisted endoscopic submucosal resection combined with endoscopic ultrasonography (ESMR-LUS) for treatment of R-NETs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 101 patients with R-NETs ≤10 mm in size who underwent ESMR-LUS (n = 48) or conventional ligation-assisted endoscopic submucosal resection (ESMR-L; n = 53) between May 2019 and September 2021 at the 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force. Complete resection rate, pathological complete resection rate, procedure time, and adverse events were compared between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The endoscopic complete resection rate was slightly higher in the ESMR-LUS group than in the ESMR-L group (100 vs. 96.2%, p = .496). The pathological complete resection rate was also slightly higher in the ESMR-LUS group (97.9 vs. 88.7%, p = .152), these findings, though statistically non-significant, have practical clinical significance. Margin involvement was less common in ESMR-LUS patients than in ESMR-L patients (1 vs. 6). Involvement of the lateral resection margin was found one patient in the ESMR-LUS group versus two patients in the ESMR-L group, and deep resection margin involvement in no patient in the ESMR-LUS group versus four patients in the ESMR-L group. Mean procedure time was longer in the ESMR-LUS group than in the ESMR-L group (11.08 ± 1.89 min vs. 9.38 ± 2.09 min, p = .061). Immediate bleeding occurred in two patients in the ESMR-LUS group vs. seven patients in the ESMR-L group. Two patients in the ESMR-L group also suffered perforation; both patients were successfully treated by endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: ESMR-LUS appears to be a safe and effective technique for removal of small rectal NETs confined to the submucosal layer without metastasis. Further studies are warranted to compare the efficacy and safety of different methods.

Point-of-care Lung Ultrasound, Lung CT and NEWS to Predict Adverse Outcomes and Mortality in COVID-19 Associated Pneumonia.

Introduction: The appraisal of disease severity and prediction of adverse outcomes using risk stratification tools at early disease stages is crucial to diminish mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While lung ultrasound (LUS) as an imaging technique for the diagnosis of lung diseases has recently gained a leading position, data demonstrating that it can predict adverse outcomes related to COVID-19 is scarce. The main aim of this study is therefore to assess the clinical significance of bedside LUS in COVID-19 patients who presented to the emergency department (ED). Methods: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia admitted to the ED of our hospital between March 2021 and May 2021 and who underwent a 12-zone LUS and a lung computed tomography scan were included prospectively. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to predict adverse events, which was our primary outcome. The secondary outcome was to discover the association of LUS score and computed tomography severity score (CT-SS) with the composite endpoints. Results: We assessed 234 patients [median age 59.0 (46.8-68.0) years; 59.4% M), including 38 (16.2%) in-hospital deaths for any cause related to COVID-19. Higher LUS score and CT-SS was found to be associated with ICU admission, intubation, and mortality. The LUS score predicted mortality risk within each stratum of NEWS. Pairwise analysis demonstrated that after adjusting a base prediction model with LUS score, significantly higher accuracy was observed in predicting both ICU admission (DBA -0.067, P = .011) and in-hospital mortality (DBA -0.086, P = .017). Conclusion: Lung ultrasound can be a practical prediction tool during the course of COVID-19 and can quantify pulmonary involvement in ED settings. It is a powerful predictor of ICU admission, intubation, and mortality and can be used as an alternative for chest computed tomography while monitoring COVID-19-related adverse outcomes.

LUNCH-Lung Ultrasound for early detection of silent and apparent aspiratioN in infants and young CHildren with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Children with neurological impairment may have dysphagia and/or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), which predispose to complications affecting the airways, increasing risk for aspiration-induced acute and chronic lung disease, or secondarily malnutrition, further neurodevelopmental disturbances, stressful interactions with their caregivers and chronic pain. Only multidisciplinary clinical feeding evaluation and empirical trials are applied to provide support to the management of feeding difficulties related to dysphagia or GERD, but no standardized feeding or behavioral measure exists at any age to assess aspiration risk and support the indication to perform a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) or a fibre-optic endoscopic examination of swallowing (FEES), in particular in newborns and infants with neurological impairments. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been proposed as a non-invasive, radiation-free tool for the diagnosis of pulmonary conditions in infants, with high sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: A RCT will be conducted in infants aged between 0 and 6 years having, or being at risk for, cerebral palsy, or other neurodevelopmental disease that determines abnormal muscular tone or motor developmental delay assessed by a quantitative scale for infants or if there is the suspicion of GERD or dysphagia based on clinical symptoms. Infants will be allocated in one of 2 groups: 1) LUS-monitored management (LUS-m); 2) Standard care management (SC-m) and after baseline assessment (T0), both groups will undergo an experimental 6-months follow-up. In the first 3 months, infants will be evaluated a minimum of 1 time per month, in-hospital, for a total of 3 LUS-monitored meal evaluations. Primary and secondary endpoint measures will be collected at 3 and 6 months. DISCUSSION: This paper describes the study protocol consisting of a RCT with two main objectives: (1) to evaluate the benefits of the use of LUS for monitoring silent and apparent aspiration in the management of dysphagia and its impact on pulmonary illness and growth and (2) to investigate the impact of the LUS management on blood sample and bone metabolism, pain and interaction with caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration date 02/05/2020; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04253951 .

The Diagnostic Contribution of Systematic Lung Ultrasonography in Patients Admitted to a Conventional Pulmonology Hospitalization Unit.

OBJECTIVE: Although the evidence to date remains limited, we hypothesized that performing protocolized lung ultrasound (LUS) in patients, admitted to a conventional pulmonology hospitalization unit, could improve diagnostic precision. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic contribution and changes in the treatments administered after performing a protocolized LUS in patients hospitalized in a Pulmonology Department ward. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective, observational study, which included patients admitted from the Emergency Department to a conventional Pulmonology Department hospitalization unit, after first being evaluated by a pulmonologist. LUS was performed within the first 48 hours of admission. The diagnosis at the time of discharge was used as the reference diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients were included in this study. The admitting diagnoses were the decompensation of an underlying obstructive disease in 60 patients (33.3%), respiratory infection in 93 (51.7%), pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) in 9 (5%), exacerbation of an interstitial lung disease in 14 (7.8%), and other causes in 4 cases (2.2%). Ultrasonography provided new information, unsuspected at the patient's admission, in 117 (65%) of the patients by capturing images suggestive of infection in 63 patients (35%), 1 new case of ILD, 23 (12.7%) cases of cardiogenic edema, and pleural pathology in 19 (10.5%), as well as two tumors and indirect data related to a PE. The use of LUS resulted in the decision to change the already established treatment in 17.2% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: LUS provided additive information in more than half of patients that ended up reclassifying or potentially changing diagnosis or treatment. Thus, including LUS in management algorithms could reduce the need for other complementary tests or unnecessary treatments.

Lung ultrasound for the assessment of lung recruitment in neonates with massive pneumothorax during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report.

Bedside lung ultrasound may be an effective method for the assessment of lung recruitment in newborns with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We report a case of a neonate who had severe hypoxemia with persistent pulmonary hypertension and massive pneumothorax due to meconium aspiration syndrome and was treated with ECMO. Positive pressure mechanical ventilation resulted in persistent massive air leakage from the disrupted pulmonary tissue. When ECMO was initiated, a "total lung rest" ventilation strategy was used to facilitate healing of the lung rupture and absorption of the pneumothorax. After complete absorption of the pneumothorax, lung recruitment was performed by progressively increasing the positive end-expiratory pressure under the guidance of lung ultrasound. Bedside lung ultrasound was successfully used to assess pneumothorax absorption and improvement of pulmonary inflammation and successfully guided the recruitment of collapsed alveoli and the withdrawal of ECMO.

Lung Ultrasonography for Risk Stratification in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is a promising pragmatic risk-stratification tool in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study describes and compares LUS characteristics between patients with different clinical outcomes. METHODS: Prospective observational study of polymerase chain reaction-confirmed adults with COVID-19 with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection in the emergency department (ED) of Lausanne University Hospital. A trained physician recorded LUS images using a standardized protocol. Two experts reviewed images blinded to patient outcome. We describe and compare early LUS findings (≤24 hours of ED presentation) between patient groups based on their 7-day outcome (1) outpatients, (2) hospitalized, and (3) intubated/dead. Normalized LUS score was used to discriminate between groups. RESULTS: Between 6 March and 3 April 2020, we included 80 patients (17 outpatients, 42 hospitalized, and 21 intubated/dead). Seventy-three patients (91%) had abnormal LUS (70% outpatients, 95% hospitalized, and 100% intubated/dead; P = .003). The proportion of involved zones was lower in outpatients compared with other groups (median [IQR], 30% [0-40%], 44% [31-70%], 70% [50-88%]; P < .001). Predominant abnormal patterns were bilateral and there was multifocal spread thickening of the pleura with pleural line irregularities (70%), confluent B lines (60%), and pathologic B lines (50%). Posterior inferior zones were more often affected. Median normalized LUS score had a good level of discrimination between outpatients and others with area under the ROC of .80 (95% CI, .68-.92). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic LUS has potential as a reliable, cheap, and easy-to-use triage tool for the early risk stratification in patients with COVID-19 presenting to EDs.