Lung ultrasound versus chest radiograph in the diagnosis of pneumonia in ICU patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Anesthesia, El-Minia Faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Lung ultrasounds have shown a growing interest during the last few years in the diagnosis 
of pleural effusions, pneumothorax. It is radiation free, can be performed at the bedside in a few minutes, 
and can be interpreted in real time for multiple diagnoses. The results are so encouraging that in some 
units, chest x-rays have been replaced by lung ultrasounds in the follow-up of the patients. Aim of the 
work: to compare Lung Ultrasound Versus Chest x-ray as regard diagnostic efficacy of pneumonia 
cases in Intensive Care Unit ( ICU) and time saving between both modalities. Patients and Methods: A 
total of 72 patients of either sex, age between 18 to 70 years with clinically suspected Pneumonia. We 
used The machine Sonosite M turbo ultrasound system, (1-5MHz) micro convex probe and (13-6 MHz) 
linear probe as well as a Portable X-ray machine. Results: We found that LUS was superior to 
conventional CXR in diagnosing pneumonia patients. In addition, we found that LUS was more efficient 
than CXR in diagnosis of pneumonia in hemodynamically unstable patients. Regarding the duration of 
imaging, CXR was more time consuming as compared with LUS. Considering that early antibiotic 
administration in pneumonia patients is associated with better outcomes especially concerning morbidity 
and mortality, the importance of finding a less time consuming modality for the diagnosis is outstanding. 
Conclusion: We concluded that bedside lung ultrasound demonstrated better results than chest X-ray for 
the early diagnosis of pneumonia.

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