The Superiority of Lung Ultrasound Over X-ray

POCUS is useful for assessing lung function and can provide rapid and accurate diagnosis and guide treatment decisions for a variety of respiratory conditions. It goes beyond merely detecting pleural effusion; it encompasses the identification of consolidation, interstitial syndromes such as pulmonary edema, and pneumothorax. 

With lung ultrasound, you can swiftly uncover potential issues and initiate prompt interventions. In the realm of lung ultrasound, the BLUE protocol (Bedside Lung Ultrasound Examination) has garnered significant importance (1). This observational study aimed to explore the potential of lung ultrasound in diagnosing acute respiratory failure.

The study included a total of 260 patients experiencing shortness of breath with a clear diagnosis. Researchers conducted ultrasound examinations without prior knowledge of the patients' medical history, physical examinations, or blood tests. Based on ultrasound findings, they established a tentative diagnosis for the patients' respiratory failure, which was then compared to the final diagnosis (often determined by CT, considered the gold standard). The overall diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound was 90.5%, indicating that researchers correctly diagnosed the condition in 90.5% of cases. Remarkably, this was achieved without knowledge of blood test results or medical history. Several articles, including those from the Emergency Medicine Journal (2) and the European Respiratory Review (3), also advocate for the use of lung ultrasound.

References

1. Lichtenstein DA, Meziere GA. Relevance of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute respiratory failure: the BLUE protocol. Chest. 2008;134(1):117-25.
2. Wimalasena Y, Kocierz L, Strong D, Watterson J, Burns B. Lung ultrasound: a useful tool in the assessment of the dyspnoeic patient in the emergency department. Fact or fiction? Emerg Med J. 2018;35(4):258-66.
3. Hew M, Tay TR. The efficacy of bedside chest ultrasound: from accuracy to outcomes. Eur Respir Rev. 2016;25(141):230-46.