Abstract
ABSTRACT.Lung ultrasound is increasingly used as a diagnostic tool for pulmonary pathologies by nonspecialist clinicians in resource-limited settings where chest X-ray may not be readily available. However, the optimal technique for lung ultrasound in these settings is not yet clearly defined. We describe here our experience of implementing a standardized, focused six-zone, 12-view lung ultrasound scanning technique with a high-frequency probe in both adults and children in a resource-limited setting in sub-Saharan Africa. Our experience suggests that this may be a feasible technique to rapidly introduce lung ultrasound to new learners that can be adapted to emergency or outbreak settings. However, research is needed to determine how this technique compares with clinical examination and other available tests for the diagnosis of pathology commonly encountered in resource-limited settings.
Highlights
Lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly used as a diagnostic modality for respiratory pathologies
The high-frequency linear probes provide better image quality and resolution at shallower depths, which is advantageous in pediatric patients who have smaller body habitus
To help inform others considering use of LUS in a resourcelimited setting, we present our experience in implementing LUS for adult and pediatric patients through longitudinal training of both midlevel providers and physicians in Agok, South Sudan, using a single highfrequency probe technique for all patients
Summary
Lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly used as a diagnostic modality for respiratory pathologies. On the basis of the experience of field-based clinicians, visiting trainers, and a selection of cases submitted to the internal MSF Telemedicine service for expert radiology review, our impression is that the trainees were able to perform LUS adequately and that the single high-frequency probe method was generally acceptable for interpretation of the common pathologic conditions in both adult and pediatric patients. In this setting, the main pathologies seen on LUS were lung consolidation, small subpleural consolidations, pleural effusion, and, less commonly, interstitial syndrome (e.g., pulmonary edema).
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