Lung Ultrasound in Childhood Pneumonia: The Emerging New Era

Excerpt

Pneumonia in children is a potentially fatal disease, and the importance of early diagnosis of childhood pneumonia cannot be overemphasized. According to the WHO recommendations, the diagnosis of a community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is clinical; chest radiograph (CXR) being used only for severe disease or complications of pneumonia. The major disadvantage of using CXR in CAP is the potential risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. Hence, the need of the hour is any other imaging modality which could provide information comparable to the CXR, while having no radiation exposure risk. Lung ultrasound (LUS) fits in this specific scenario; owing to its versatility, easy availability, good resolution imaging and above all, lack of ionizing radiation. …