The Role of Thoracic Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Various Chest Pathologies in Critically Ill ICU Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Department of Radiodiagnosis, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University* and Fayoum General Hospital**

Abstract

Abstract Background: In critically ill patients, lung imaging is typically performed by bedside CXR or thoracic CT, but both techniques have limitations that limit their usefulness. Ultra-sound and computed tomography (CT) have very similar performance characteristics. Recently, chest ultrasound has become a new reliable, accurate, and attractive tool for diagnosing most of these lung pathologies. The Aim Study: Was to evaluate the role of bedside chest ultrasound in detecting different respiratory diseases in ICU admitted patients. Patients and Methods: The study included 37 patients critically ill, ICU patients with any respiratory symptoms their age ranged from 19-80 years. US was capable to detect various lesions as consolidations with air bronchogram, hypoechoic wedge shaped avascular pleural based lesions and thick septate pleural collection, loculations and echogenic debris. Conclusion: Chest Ultrasoundis a suitable diagnostic modality for evaluating pulmonary and pleural pathologies in the ICU with upper hand over chest radiography and CT chest.

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