Abstract
Thoracic ultrasound is increasingly considered to be an essential tool for the pulmonologist. It is used in diverse clinical scenarios, including as an adjunct to clinical decision making for diagnosis, a real-time guide to procedures, and a predictor or measurement of treatment response. The aim of this European Respiratory Society task force was to produce a statement on thoracic ultrasound for pulmonologists using thoracic ultrasound within the field of respiratory medicine. The multidisciplinary panel performed a review of the literature, addressing major areas of thoracic ultrasound practice and application. The selected major areas include equipment and technique, assessment of the chest wall, parietal pleura, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, interstitial syndrome, lung consolidation, diaphragm assessment, intervention guidance, training, and the patient perspective. Despite the growing evidence supporting the use of thoracic ultrasound, the published literature still contains a paucity of data in some important fields. Key research questions for each of the major areas were identified, which serve to facilitate future multi-centre collaborations and research to further consolidate an evidence-based use of thoracic ultrasound, for the benefit of the many patients being exposed to clinicians using thoracic ultrasound.
Footnotes
This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Laursen has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Clive has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Hallifax has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Pietersen has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Asciak has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Davidsen has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bhatnagar has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bedawi has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Jacobsen has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Ms. Coleman has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Edey has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Via has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Volpicelli has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Raimondi has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Evison has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Konge has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Rahman reports non-financial support from Esaote, Italy, outside the submitted work;.
- Received May 1, 2020.
- Accepted August 20, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020
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