Diagnostic value of Lung Ultrasound for pneumonia in critical care Patients

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a significant global health and economic issue that impact on morbidity and mortality. AIM: We conducted this study to estimate the value of lung ultrasound in diagnosing pneumonia in critical care. METHODS: This study was conducted on 60 patients hospitalized to ICU at Minia University hospitals between October 2022 and September 2023. These patients were suspected to have pneumonia based on their medical history and physical examination. written consent was obtained from each patient. All patient underwent assessment of CURB-65 score, chest X-ray (CXR), Lung ultrasound (LUS) and Computerized tomography (CT) chest scan, that was considered as the definitive diagnostic imaging. The patients were subsequently categorized into two groups based on the CT report diagnosis: 50 patients in the positive pneumonia group and 10 patients in the negative pneumonia group. RESULTS: The study sample had a mean age of 57.6 ± 14.7 years, with 46.7% being men and 53.3% being females. Employing a CT chest scan as a benchmark imaging technique to authenticate the diagnosis of pneumonia. The LUS test had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 40%. The CXR had a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 50%for detecting pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Compared to bedside CXR, lung ultrasound was determined to be a superior and more dependable method for identifying pneumonia. Bedside LUS is a beneficial alternative to CT scan in situations where doing a CT scan is challenging. Recommendation: Pneumonia in ICU could be diagnosed and followed-up by LUS.