The Assessment of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Critically Ill Respiratory Failure Patients

Abstract

Lung ultrasound is a new diagnostic tool for diagnosis of acute chest conditions. The aim of the current study was to assess the accuracy of lung ultrasound algorithm in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with respiratory failure. This is a randomized comparative study included 80 patients admitted to the intensive care unit, Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital during three years from October 2017- October 2020. The study received the approval of ethical committee of faculty Medicine, Kasr- El-Einy, Cairo University. History, clinical examination, Chest X ray, Computed tomography (CT) chest, lung US, and Echocardiography were done. Ultrasonography (US) showed sensitivity and specificity 100 %, 100% respectively in diagnosis of pneumothorax Regarding pneumonia, sensitivity and specificity of US were (68.2%, 86.2% respectively). Regarding interstitial lung disease (ILD), sensitivity and specificity of US were (55.6%, 98.6%). Additionally, as regard pulmonary edema and pleural effusion, US sensitivity and specificity were (66.7%, 97.4%) and (78.9%, 98.4%) respectively. In comparison with CT scan, bedside lung ultrasonography (LUS) seems to be a valuable substitute in cases where performing CT is problematic. We recommend starting the use of bedside LUS as routine tool to improve the diagnostic accuracy for most of the pulmonary presentations.