Point-of-care ultrasound in the assessment of respiratory diseases

Abstract

In recent years, lung ultrasonography has become increasingly popular in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases as part of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), especially in the emergency department. Because the lungs contain air and are surrounded by a bony thorax, lung ultrasonography is not useful for all respiratory diseases. Another important feature of lung ultrasonography is the use of various artifacts produced. POCUS is performed by dividing the anterior thoracic region into eight sections. Findings seen in normal subjects include the bat sign, A-line, lung sliding, lung pulse, and seashore sign. It is important to understand these normal findings as their absence indicates the presence of a respiratory disease. Typical respiratory diseases for which lung ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis include pneumothorax, interstitial pneumonia, and pneumonia. Abnormal findings in each disease include lung point in pneumothorax, multiple B-lines in interstitial pneumonia, and sonographic consolidation in pneumonia. The combination of abnormal findings and lack of normal findings in the patient is used to narrow down the possible differential diseases.