Point‐of‐care lung ultrasound in paediatric critical and emergency care

Abstract

Ultrasound techniques have been developed since the past century and are becoming more useful in different areas of medical knowledge. More recently, lung ultrasound gained importance throughout artefacts analysis to help clinical evaluation at bedside and became subject of interest in the paediatric intensive care and emergency department settings for both procedural and diagnostic purposes. The normal pattern of lung ultrasound is defined by the presence of lung sliding associated with A-lines whereas B-lines may be representative of pathologic findings. This review focuses on some of the most common pulmonary conditions, their respective sonographic features and clinical implications in the emergency department and paediatric intensive care unit.

Lung Ultrasound in Pediatrics and Neonatology: An Update

“…The main sonographic features are widespread compact B-lines and an associated white lung appearance, a thickened and irregular pleural line, and multiple subpleural lung consolidation are seen as small hypoechoic areas. These patterns do not improve immediately after the administration of surfactants [81]. Additional findings of severe cases of RDS (grade 3 and 4) are widespread, with deep consolidations and presence of lung pulse.…”

Diagnostic Utility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

“…B-lines are "comet-tail" shaped, hyperechoic, vertical artifact structures that arise from the pleural line (Fig. 47B) [47].…”

The use of lung ultrasound compared to chest X‐ray to diagnose pneumothorax following the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum repair in children

“…27,28 Lung ultrasound is currently used in many settings, from intensive care to cardiac surgery, trauma, and emergency rooms. 29,30 The technique can be used, and offers benefits, in various clinical conditions, 31 and has the advantage of being noninvasive and readily available. Moreover, the present study validates the use of lung ultrasound after thoracoscopic surgery in a specific pediatric population where chest X-ray has routinely been used to date.…”