One year of SARS-CoV-2 and lung ultrasound: what has been learned and future perspectives
Andrea Boccatonda, Giulio Cocco, Eugenia Ianniello, Marco Montanari, Damiano D’Ardes, Claudio Borghi, Fabrizio Giostra, Roberto Copetti, Cosima Schiavone
Abstract
A first screening by ultrasound can be relevant to set a specific diagnostic and therapeutic route for a patient with a COVID-19 infection. The finding of bilateral B-lines and white lung areas with patchy peripheral distribution and sparing areas is the most suggestive ultrasound picture of COVID-19 pneumonia. Failure to detect bilateral interstitial syndrome (A pattern) on ultrasound excludes COVID-19 pneumonia with good diagnostic accuracy, but does not exclude current infection. The use of shared semiotic and reporting schemes allows the comparison and monitoring of the COVID-19 pulmonary involvement over time. This review aims to summarise the main data on pulmonary ultrasound and COVID-19 to provide accurate and relevant information for clinical practice.