Ultrasound examination of the lungs in pneumonia in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

The aim - to study was to assess the condition of the lungs and pleural cavities in HIV-infected patients with community-acquired pneumonia by ultrasound examination. Material and methods. During the period from May 2020 to February 2021, 7 HIV-infected patients with community-acquired pneumonia were observed, who underwent ultrasound of the lungs and pleural cavities. Results and discussion. Ultrasound of the lungs is the most affordable method of diagnosis in outpatient settings, at the pre-hospital stage to solve the issue of patient routing. Ultrasound is mandatory for quick triage of patients with suspected pneumonia in the emergency department. Given that ultrasound is not associated with radiation exposure to the patient, the examination of pregnant women, newborns and children with suspected pneumonia of any etiology should begin with ultrasound of the lungs, pleural cavities and mediastinum. Ultrasound of the lungs can be performed after pneumonia in order to monitor rehabilitation to assess the nature of changes in the chest cavity and determine the prognosis of the disease. The article presents a clinical example of lung ultrasound in an HIV-infected patient with pneumonia of unknown etiology.