Diverse imaging systems can be utilized for the
evaluation of chest issues in ICU patients; ultrasound (US) is
a decent analytic instrument without exposing the patients to
radiation and risk of transfer.
Objectives To compare the diagnostic performance of
transthoracic US and bedside chest radiography (CXR) for
the detection of various pathological abnormalities in
fundamentally sick patients, using chest computed
tomography as a gold standard.
Patients and methods Two hundred and fifty-six patients
who were admitted in the Respiratory Care Unit were included
in this study. CXR, computed tomography, and transthoracic
US were done to all the patients. Six pathological entities
were evaluated: pleural effusion, pneumothorax,
consolidation, interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary embolism,
and neoplasms.
Results All patients were evaluated by the three imaging
techniques. The sensitivity and specificity of CXR were 42.1,
84.4% for pneumonia 50.0, 90.0% for pleural effusion, 45.5,
90.6% for interstitial syndrome, 50.0, 94.8% for
pneumothorax, 60, 100% for pulmonary embolism, and 66,
94% for neoplasm, while the values for chest US were 89.47,
100% for pneumonia, 60, 100% for pulmonary embolism,
100, 100% for pleural effusion, pneumothorax, interstitial
syndrome, and neoplasm.
Conclusion US examination of the chest is a noninvasive and
promising bedside tool in the evaluation of patients in the
Respiratory Care Unit.