Robert L. Bard, MD, of Bard Diagnostic Imaging in New York City, in collaboration with international experts including Danilo Buonsenso, MD, of Rome Italy, weigh in on the value of using ultrasound to triage patients suspected of having COVID-19.

Currently, front line physicians in Italy and Spain are reportedly triaging with portable ultrasound units that reduce logistical problems of a chaotic environment and healthcare worker exposure. Since imaging with CT or ultrasound is not diagnostic, determining who needs hospitalization is essential in a pandemic overwhelming medical providers. Dr. Buonsenso, at the viral epicenter in Rome, uses sonograms to decide who requires a CT scan.

The use of CT lung imaging for COVID-19 has been recognized as the diagnostic standard during our current epidemic. Meanwhile, experts find CT to have disadvantages like radiation exposure. Respiratory distress creates motion artifacts on images that may simulate pulmonary inflammation. Also, viral pneumonia is not diagnostically distinguishable from other viral inflammations in the lung so the argument for a screening modality is useful to separate the critically ill from those needing outpatient treatment. This review was stated by Dr. Klaus Lessnau, author of “CHEST ULTRASOUND” (Springer 2003), employs both CT and ultrasound imaging in clinical practice.

Dr. Bard reviews international healthcare and technology updates as part of his continued research in the radiological society. This includes Dr. Buonsenso’s national reports about the Covid crisis and the expanded use of lung ultrasound as part of his investigation of children as clinically unaffected carriers. “The global pandemic demands effective answers toward a cure as well as protection of healthcare workers on duty,” says Dr. Bard. “I have the highest regard for the European approach to problem solving both clinically and technologically… applying Dr. Buonsenso’s concept makes perfect sense to me and carries great value in our war against Covid-19.”

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Featured image: Sonogram taken under rib cage shows liver (grey) with curved diaphragm-lung border (white). Arrows point to vertical B lines (white) demonstrating diseased lung tissue. The more B lines the worse the disease. Healing is measured by reduction in the number of B lines. Credit: Bard Diagnostic Imaging.