Abstract
Objective: to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of Lung ultrasound (LUS) in the diagnosis of pneumonia in Emergency Department. Method: The study was performed at King Fahad Hospital and Ohud Hospital in Medina, Saudi Arabia. This study included adult patients of both genders (more than 18 years), who suspected to have pneumonia based on the presence of clinical features and physical examination, both of community and hospital-acquired pneumonia was included in this study. Lung ultrasound was performed for patients with suspected pneumonia as soon as possible after their arrival at the Emergency Department and before CXR. Later we evaluate all patients until discharge, comparing the ultrasound results with the final diagnosis made by physicians based on radiological examinations CXR or CT, markers of inflammation and microbiology. Results: This study included 65 adult patients; most of them 72.3% were males. 100% of the cases were detected by CT scan. While, 88% almost of the cases were detected by Lung ultrasound. And about 77% of the cases were detected by chest X-ray. Lung ultrasound findings showed that 84% of cases had dynamic air bronchogram, 44.1% had fluid bronchogram, and 64.1% had interstitial pattern. Conclusion: Lung ultrasound is a safe and accurate option to diagnose suspected pneumonia cases and is more accurate than chest X-ray and allows for radiation-free follow-up of patients.