Lung ultrasound
LUS was performed using an ultrasound machine with a linear probe
(10mHzmedian frequency) with a unique focus on the pleural line and a
depth of 5 cm. The acquisitions were achieved by physicians having at
least one year experience in pediatric LUS.Images and clips were stored
and archived.
As suggested by Soldati et aleach hemithorax was divided in 7 areas:3
posterior (superior, inferior and paravertebral), 2 lateral (superior
and inferior) and 2 anterior(superior and inferior).19
We evaluated the presence of pleural irregularities, subpleural
consolidations, B-lines and pleural effusions. The lung pattern was
classified in: score 0—normal sliding, a regular pleural line and
A-lines with fewer than 2 B-lines; score 1—a pleural line indented
with multiple well-defined B-lines; score 2—a broken pleural line
associated with dark areas and consolidation areas; score 3—large and
multiple patches of white lung. To investigate lung fields the patients
were positioned in sitting position. Therefore, we summarized the lung
ultrasound score in each area.