Ultrasound as a potential tool for the assessment of interstitial lung disease in rheumatic patients. Where are we now?

Radiol Med. 2019 Oct;124(10):989-999. doi: 10.1007/s11547-019-01053-5. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Abstract

Lung ultrasound (LUS) achieved an intriguing role in the management of pulmonary involvement in patients affected by connective tissues diseases (CTDs). Few studies have been performed to support its usefulness in the evaluation of the presence and the severity of interstitial lung disease (ILD), relating it to the information obtained with chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). These results open up new fields of research in order to demonstrate the utility of LUS as screening tool to evaluate ILD in CTD. The aim of this review is to provide the "state of the art" of the role of LUS in the management of ILD associated with CTD.

Keywords: Connective tissue disease; Interstitial lung disease; Lung ultrasound; Systemic sclerosis; US B line.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / etiology
  • Rheumatic Diseases / complications
  • Rheumatic Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*