Lung sonographic findings in COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the lung sonographic findings of COVID-19 patients prospectively and investigate its association with disease severity.

Methods: This study was conducted in an emergency department and included consecutively enrolled laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients. Lung sonography findings were described in all the included patients and analysed with respect to the clinical severity of the patients.

Results: 106 patients were included in the study. Common sonographic findings in COVID-19 patients were pleural line irregularity or shredding (70% of patients), followed by B - profile (59%), pleural line thickening (33%), occasional B - lines (26%), sub-pleural consolidations (35%), deep consolidations (6%), spared areas (13%), confluent B - lines or waterfall sign (14%) and pleural effusion (9%). These findings tended to be present more bilaterally and in lower lung zones. Sonographic characteristics like bilateral lung involvement, B - profile, spared areas and confluent B - lines or waterfall sign were significantly associated (p < 0.01) with clinical severity (more frequent with increasing disease severity).

Conclusion: The lung sonographic findings of COVID-19 were found more bilaterally and in lower lung zones, and specific findings like B - profile, pleural thickening, spared areas and confluent B - lines or waterfall sign were associated with severe COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Characteristics; Lung sonography; Ultrasound.