Diagnostic accuracy of bedside ultrasonography in COVID-19 suspected patients admitted to the emergency department

Introduction: Due to the risk of cross contamination and radiation exposure of computed tomography (CT) and low sensitivity rate of X-Ray, point of care ultrasound (POCUS) lung can be used as a diagnostic tool of COVID-19 pneumonia. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of POCUS for detection of lung pathologies caused by COVID-19.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted with 84 patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected COVID-19. CT and POCUS lung were performed for all participants. CCT was taken as the reference diagnostic method and the presence of B-lines or consolidation or pleural irregularity-thickening (>3 mm) in the lung in POCUS lung, were evaluated in favor of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Results: Of the 84 patients included, lesions of COVID-19 pneumonia were detected 53.5%. COVID-19 pneumonia findings were shown by POCUS lung in 51.2% of participants. The left lower lobe in 48.8% and the right lower lobe in 47.6% of the patients were the most commonly affected regions. In POCUS lung, COVID-19 pneumonia lesions located in 2nd area for 44.0%, in 7th area for 35.7%, in 8th area for 34.5%. Sensitivity of POCUS lung was found to be 88.9%, specificity pointed for 92.3%, positive predictive value was 93.0% and negative predictive value was 87.8%.

Conclusion: POCUS lung, has a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, especially in severe lung involvement. Therefore, POCUS lung should be the method of choice as its practical use, bedside availability and avoidance of radiation exposure for COVID-19 associated lung lesions.

COVID-19; Pneumonia; POCUS lung

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