LUNG ULTRASONOGRAPHY DECREASES RADIATION EXPOSURE

Overview

We aimed to decrease in the number of chest X-rays in newborns with respiratory distress, with the use of lung ultrasonography. From January 2019 to June 2020, 104 newborn infants with respiratory distress enrolled in this study. We used bed side ultrasound as the first line tecnique for lung imaging. X-ray were taken in cases with increasing respiratory distress in spite of treatment according to diagnosis depending on USG findings. We calculated decreased number of chest X-ray for every patient and evaluated the estimated decrease in radiation exposure.

Background: Chest X-ray is commonly used as first line imaging method to diagnose the reason of respiratory distress in NICUs. Lung ultrasound is a new diagnostic tool for lung imaging, and this method has been used more common recently in NICUs. Objectives: We aimed to determine the decrease in the number of chest X-rays in newborns with respiratory distress, with the use of lung ultrasonography. Methods: From January 2019 to June 2020, 104 newborn infants with respiratory distress enrolled in this study. We used bed side ultrasound as the first line tecnique for lung imaging. X-ray were taken in cases with increasing respiratory distress in spite of treatment according to diagnosis depending on USG findings. We calculated decreased number of chest X-ray for every patient and evaluated the estimated decrease in radiation exposure.

Conditions