Comparison of lung ultrasonography findings with chest computed tomography results in coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia

Korgün Ökmen, Durdu Kahraman Yıldız, Emel Soyaslan, Korgün Ökmen, Durdu Kahraman Yıldız, Emel Soyaslan

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to determine the usability of lung ultrasonography (LUS) in the diagnosis of COVID-19, and to match the morphological features of lesions detected on computed tomography (CT) with the findings observed on LUS.

Methods: Sixty patients with COVID-19 were included in this prospective study. Patients were examined by radiology and anesthesia clinic specialists for a visual CT score. A LUS 12-zone ultrasonography protocol was applied by the investigator blinded to the CT and PCR test results. The characteristics of abnormal findings and the relationship of lesions to the pleura and the distance to the pleura were investigated.

Results: Forty-five males and 25 females evaluated within the scope of the study had an average age of 61.2 ± 15.3 years. The total CT score was calculated as 14.3 ± 5.3, and the LUS score was found to be 19.9 ± 7.6. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the measured LUS and CT scores (r = 0.857, p < 0.001). The mean distance of these lesions to the pleura was 5.2 ± 1.76 cm. LUS findings in 51 areas corresponded to non-pleural lesions on CT. There was a negative correlation between the measured distance to the pleura and the LUS scores (p < 0.001, r = - 0.708).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the correlation between CT and LUS findings may be used in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, although there are some limitations. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04719234.

Keywords: COVID-19; Computed tomography; Lung ultrasound; Pneumonia.

Conflict of interest statement

There are no financial or other relations that could lead to a conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Thoracic CT images of COVID-19-related pneumonia. a Black arrows: halo sign, b non-pleural lesion and distance to the pleura, c white arrows: ground-glass opacities, d non-pleural hilar lesion and distance to the pleura
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
LUS images of COVID-19-related pneumonia. a White arrows: diffuse B lines, b white star: lesion-free zone, white triangle: B lines (on–off effect), c black circle: irregular pleural line, d white arrows: sub-pleural consolidation, e white arrow: halo sign (Fig. 1, same patient), f white star: pleural effusion, white arrows: consolidations
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The CT scores of lobes
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Correlation between the measured distance to the pleura and the LUS scores

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