Our Italian experience using lung ultrasound for identification, grading and serial follow-up of severity of lung involvement for management of patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Lung ultrasound (LU) has rapidly become a tool for assessment of patients stricken by the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Over the past two and a half months (January, February, and first half of March 2020) we have used this modality for identification of lung involvement along with pulmonary severity in patients with suspected or documented COVID-19 infection. Use of LU has helped us in clinical decision making and reduced the use of both chest x-rays and computed tomography (CT).

Keywords: COVID-19; interstitial syndrome; lung ultrasound.

Figure 1

Lung ultrasound of normal aerated lung. A lines are visible: they are a repetition of the pleural line at the same distance from skin to pleural line. This indicates the presence of air below the pleural line (which corresponds to the parietal pleura). A lines can be complete or partial (as in this image)

Figure 2

Lung ultrasound of interstitial syndrome, characterized by the presence of three or more B lines between two ribs. B lines are hyperechoic laser‐like artifacts that resemble a comet tail, arise from the pleural line and move in concert with lung sliding. A lines are wiped out