Lung Ultrasound in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: a Clinical Review

Abstract

The clinical research in the field of paediatric lung ultrasound has speedily grew over the past few years, with this imaging technique quickly becoming a standard of care in the management of critically ill or injured children.

Lung ultrasound is a noninvasive technique that can be routinely performed at the bedside and may provide accurate information on lung status. Based on distinctive sonographic patterns, it has the potential to provide real-time noble information that could alter pulmonary conditions´ diagnosis, treatment and management, especially in paediatric intensive care units.

The purpose of this article is to review some basic concepts about lung ultrasound and briefly describe its main applications on the approach of critically ill or injured child, based on literature to data and the specific daily applications in a Portuguese Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Referral Centre. It aims to create a literature base to help guiding implementation, development and training on use of lung ultrasound in paediatric intensive care units.