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Abstract Traditionally, lung imaging in critically ill patients is performed either by bedside chest radiography (CXR) or thoracic computed tomography (CT), both techniques have limitations which constrain their usefulness. Although thoracic CT is the gold standard for lung imaging, it is expensive and cannot be performed on a routine basis. In addition the transportation of critically ill patients to the radiology department combined with the radiation exposure carries a measurable risk [2]. On the other hand, limitations of bedside CXR have been well described and lead to poor quality X-ray films with low sensitivity All intensivists prefer the least invasive tool, all else being equal. Ultrasound is an answer to the longstanding dilemma: “Radiography or CT in the ICU?” Radiography is a familiar tool that lacks sensitivity 60-70%, all fields considered Nowadays, bedside lung ultrasound is increasingly used in patients managed in intensive care units (ICUs) ,and so ultrasound should be considered as reasonable, bedside “gold standard”. For all assessed disorders; it provides quantitative data. Pleural effusions can be quantified lung consolidation can be monitored, which is useful for those who want to increase end expiratory pressure the volume and progression of a pneumothorax are monitored using the lung point location . Patient and methods The study was comparative prospective randomized single group observational study was conducted in critical care unit (medical - surgical ICU) Menoufia university hospitals. The study was approved by institutional review board, and an informed consent was taken from the patient if aware or forms his 1st degree relatives if not aware. This study was conducted upon 130 mechanically ventilated and non-mechanically ventilated patients 84 male and 46 female who were admitted critical care unit Menoufia university between October 2014 to October 2015 eligible to our inclusion criteria were included, whether mechanically ventilated or not mechanically ventilated patient were sedated and volume controlled at 8 ml/Kg chest ultrasound and chest X-ray was done, and their results were compared to the gold standard CT. Inclusion criteria: Any patient above 18 years, Patients admitted with chest problem or newly developed a chest problem in ICU, Suggestive history (fever, cough, sputum production, dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain), clinical examinations: [Vital signs (tachycardia, tachypnea), local examination (bronchial breathing, rales, diminished air entry) and Systemic examination (to exclude other causes) and suggestive lab abnormality including elevated TLC and CRP. Exclusion criteria: pregnant women, morbid obese and patients couldn’t be transferred. The patients were evaluated for any possible lung pathology according to the modified lung ultrasound protocol and the lung ultrasound results were compared to those of CXR and CT chest. All patients will be subjected to the following Clinical assessment upon recruitment in the study, which included: Blood pressure; Temperature; Pulse rate; Chest inspection, percussion and auscultation for intensity and type of breath sounds and for adventitious breath sounds. Oxygen saturation. arterial blood gasesABG and other routine laboratory investigations as needed. Mode of mechanical ventilation. chest X-ray. lung ultrasonography. Computed tomography (CT) Chest ultrasound was done by Philips HD-11 Digital Ultrasound Machine examination methodology: Visualization of the lungs was performed using a micro convex 5–9 MHz transducer appropriate for transthoracic examination. Access to standardized images (seashore sign, stratosphere sign) was possible. Ultrasonography was evaluated by a single operator, who was unaware of the CT and CXR findings. Patients were studied in the supine position. The patients’ lung was examined anteriorly and laterally only as the accessibility for posterior surface examination was limited. This, however, represents a major limitation of regional analysis. Results We studied 130 patient varying between mechanically ventilated (sedated and volume controlled 8 ml/Kg) and not mechanically ventilated, mean age was (43.23 ± 12.62P), mean APACHE II (10.72 ± 4.65) and the leading cause of admission in study group was stroke (15.4%, n=20) followed by chest infection (13.8%, n=18) When comparing the results of CXR and chest US versus results of CT scan being the gold standard we have found that sensitivity of both diagnostic tools to pneumonia were (70% versus 93%) respectively, while in pleural effusion sensitivity was (70%versus 94%) respectively, while in pulmonary edema (36% versus 93% respectively) and results of pneumothorax were (69% versus 96) respectively. Regarding pneumonia, the diagnostic performance of LUS is higher than CXR as shown by their AUC-ROC 0.95(0.89-0.99) Vs 0.82(0.75-90) respectively with significant p value (p<0.05). Regarding effusion, the diagnostic performance of LUS is higher than CXR as shown by their AUC-ROC 0.94(0.90-0.99) Vs 0.80(0.72-87) respectively with significant p value (p<0.05). Regarding edema, the diagnostic performance of LUS is higher than CXR as shown by their AUC-ROC 0.93(0.84-1.01) Vs 0.62(0.45-79) respectively and signifcat p value (p<0.05). Regarding pneumothorax, the diagnostic performance of LUS is higher than CXR as shown by their AUC-ROC 0.93(0.84-1.01) Vs 0.84(0.73-83) respectively and signifcat p value (p<0.05). After adding clinical examination into chest x ray Regarding pneumonia, the diagnostic performance of LUS is higher than CXR+clinical examination as shown by their AUC-ROC 0.95(0.90-0.99) Vs 0.89(0.82-95) respectively. Regarding effusion, the diagnostic performance of LUS is higher than CXR+clinical examination as shown by their AUC-ROC 0.94(0.89-0.99) Vs 0.87(0.81-94) respectively. Regarding oedema, the diagnostic performance of LUS is higher than CXR+clinical examination as shown by their AUC-ROC 0.93(0.84-0.99) Vs 0.67(0.50-83) respectively and signifcat p value (p<0.05). Regarding pneumothorax no significant difference in AUCROC between LUS and CXR+clinical examination. |