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Review
. 2021 Dec 17;11(12):2381.
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics11122381.

Lung Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Leading Tool for SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia: A Narrative Review

Luigi Maggi  1 , Anna Maria Biava  2 , Silvia Fiorelli  2 , Flaminia Coluzzi  3 , Alberto Ricci  2 , Monica Rocco  2
Affiliations
Review

Lung Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Leading Tool for SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia: A Narrative Review

Luigi Maggi et al. Diagnostics (Basel). .

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide causing a global pandemic. In this context, lung ultrasound (LUS) has played an important role due to its high diagnostic sensitivity, low costs, simplicity of execution and radiation safeness. Despite computed tomography (CT) being the imaging gold standard, lung ultrasound point of care exam is essential in every situation where CT is not readily available nor applicable. The aim of our review is to highlight the considerable versatility of LUS in diagnosis, framing the therapeutic route and follow-up for SARS-CoV-2 interstitial syndrome.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; chest ultrasound; interstitial syndrome; lung ultrasound; pneumonia; point of care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Longitudinal scan with linear probe: “the bat sign”. (1) Upper rib. (2) Pleural line. (3) A Lines. (4) Lower rib.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasound findings in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: (1) ribs, (2) A line, (3) cluster of B lines, (4) pleural line.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Transversal scan with linear probe of COVID-19 pneumonia: fused B lines configuring “white lung”.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Abnormalities of pleural line in transversal scan: (1) pleural line, (2) pleural line interruption with subpleural consolidation, (3) single B line arising from subpleural consolidation.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Longitudinal scan with convex probe in COVID-19 patient on mechanical ventilation with bacterial superinfection: (1) pleural effusion, (2) parenchymal consolidation without air bronchogram, (3) heart, (4) parenchymal consolidation with air bronchogram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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