Abstract
Objectives: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the value of sonographic B-lines (previously called “comet tail artifacts”) in assessment of patients with bronchiectasis, and compare them with the findings of chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs).
Methods: Ninety-one patients with clinically diagnosed bronchiectasis underwent transthoracic lung sonography for assessment of the presence of B-lines, and the distance between them. In each single positive zone the number of B-lines were counted(<5 lines ,5-15 line,15-30 line,>30 line)). These findings were compared with that of chest HRCT (type of bronchiectasis :cylindrical, varicose and cystic types) and extent of bronchiectasis in chest HRCT: one third ,two thirds, or more than two thirds of the lobe). Also B-ines were compared with PFT (forced expiratory volume in first second over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow at 25%-75% (FEF 25% - 75%) and partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2)).
Results: All patients had diffuse bilateral B-lines. The maximum number of B-lines seen in any positive zone was significantly correlated with type of bronchiectasis on chest HRCT (r= 0.729; P< .0001), and extent of bronchiectasis on chest HRCT (r= 0.640; P< .0001). Also, the number of B-lines inversely correlated with FEV1/FVC (r = −0.281, P < 0.007), FEV1 (r = −0.339, P < 0.001), FEF 25% - 75%(r = −0.389, P < 0.000), and PaO2(r=−0.612,P<0.000).
Conclusion: Sonographic B-lines seem to be useful in the assessment of bronchiectasis: its type, extent and degree of functional impairment.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
