Key words
obstetrics - lung ultrasound scan - training
Background
The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of coronavirus which causes coronavirus
disease (COVID-19). It was first diagnosed in 2019 and first identified in Wuhan City,
China. Other types of coronavirus infections include colds (HCoV 229E, NL63, OC43
and HKU1), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Most cases with COVID-19 worldwide indicate transmission through human-to-human contacts.
The virus can easily be isolated from respiratory secretions and in feces.
As regards vertical transmission, a number of case reports from China have come to
the conclusion that there are currently no indications for such a form of transmission
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. However, based on current information, it is not possible to exclude the possibility
that the fetus will be exposed to COVID-19 infection during pregnancy [6]. In a case series published by Chen et al. [5], amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, neonatal throat swabs, and breast milk samples
from mothers infected with COVID-19 were tested, and all samples tested negative for
the virus. Based on the currently available data, it can be assumed that pregnancy
will make the clinical course of COVID-19 infection even more complicated and is likely
to be associated with higher
mortality rates. Similarly, it is currently assumed that in utero transmission
from mother to fetus is unlikely. Breastfeeding is permissible if maternal infection
has been excluded or as soon as the patient has been verifiably cured [7].
However, pregnant women can develop symptomatic respiratory tract infections, meaning
that examination of the lungs should form part of the clinical examination. A large
case series from China with 1014 patients has indicated that in cases with a suspicion
of infection, CT scan of the chest should be carried out as the imaging modality of
choice in preference to PCR because of the higher sensitivity of CT for COVID-19 infection
[8]. However, CT in particular is associated with radiation exposure, which should be
avoided for pregnant patients whenever possible [9]. In a comparative study of COVID-19 patients, Huang et al. were able to show that
radiological CT findings could be reproduced very well with lung sonography [10]. The radiation exposure occurring in the context of low-dose CT corresponds roughly
to that generated during conventional thoracic imaging [11]. Ultrasonography of the lung may therefore offer an especial diagnostic benefit
when evaluating the lungs of pregnant women. It should also be noted that lung sonography
provided in the context of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) without any special additional
technical features can be a useful clinical tool. Obstetricians/gynecologists (OBGYN)
use sonography in their daily clinical practice; an ultrasound scan of the lung performed
just after an obstetric ultrasound scan could thus be easily carried out by obstetricians
or gynecologists, even if it only serves to ascertain the presence or absence of normal
findings or highlight the need for further specialist medical care [12].
The main presentation of COVID-19 is interstitial lung pathologies, which may culminate
in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Imaging, which usually takes the form
of a CT scan of the chest, is necessary to obtain the diagnosis, evaluate the course
of disease and guide the treatment [8]. The most recently published recommendations on the intensive medical care of patients
with COVID-19 issued by German professional societies for intensive medical care state
that bedside examinations (ultrasound) are preferable [13]. The German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) has developed a structured
lung ultrasound protocol which covers this type of examination [14].
Basic Principles of Lung Sonography
Basic Principles of Lung Sonography
Conventional sonography uses cross-sectional B-mode imaging to create a 2-dimensional
image of tissue structures. In contrast, lung sonography is primarily useful because
it generates typical artifacts. These artifacts are created by the impact of ultrasound
waves on lungs filled more or less with air. They can be used in addition to characteristic
morphological findings on ultrasound to obtain a sonographic differential diagnosis.
These artifacts include:
Fig. 1 Imaging of normal lung sliding in M-mode: seashore sign.
Fig. 2 Imaging of lung pulse in M-mode. The vertical movement artifacts of the heartbeat
(b, blue) only start at the pleural line (b, red). Artifact lines which start above the pleural line must not be falsely interpreted
as a lung pulse.
-
lung point (pathological finding specific to a diagnosis of pneumothorax)
-
B-lines (hyperechoic narrow vertical artifact lines created by minute pleural edemas;
they are normal if they only occur occasionally, but repeated occurrence is an indication
of pathological pleural fluid accumulation [Fig. 3])
Fig. 3 B-lines are defined as laser-like hyperechoic vertical artifact lines extending from
the pleural line to the end of the sonogram which move in synchrony with lung sliding.
They appear at selected pleural interfaces between liquid-filled and adjacent air-filled
alveoli or between edematous interlobular septa und alveolar air.
Fig. 4 Reverberations are multiple repeat echoes of the structures of the thoracic wall
which are visible in the area below the pleural line. At this depth, these horizontal
reverberation lines below the pleural line do not represent reflections of real structures
but are merely artifacts, as the ultrasound waves have already been completely reflected
by the pleural air.
Lung Sonography Findings in COVID-19
Lung Sonography Findings in COVID-19
CT examinations only rarely show central pulmonary infiltrates in the pulmonary manifestations
of COVID-19. It is assumed that the reason why the majority of pathologies present
on the periphery of the lungs is because of the tiny size of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The structural changes which occur over the course of disease lead to progressive
displacement of pleural alveolar air in affected areas of the lung. Lung sonography
can be used to identify artifact-based morphological correlates of the various stages
of decreased pleural aeration. Such lung ultrasound findings include [15]:
Fig. 5 Multiple B-lines. The occurrence of more than two B-lines within a single intercostal
space is referred to as multiple B-lines. Multiple B-lines develop when there is increased
fluid accumulation in the pleural space. This may be due to external causes (cardiac,
neurogenic or toxic) or to focal issues within the lung.
Fig. 6 Confluent B-lines. As the amount of pleural fluid increases, the individual B-lines
increasingly begin to merge until the individual artifact lines can no longer be differentiated
from one another. The resulting ultrasound image is that of a white lung.
Fig. 7 Thickened pleura. Inflammatory reactions located directly in the pleural space reduce
the amount of alveolar air, resulting in a loss of contrast on the ultrasound imaging
of the pleural line. The pleural line presents as a thickened, low-contrast line.
This image shows typical findings for local limited pleural inflammation, with a thicker
fuzzy pleural line (red) directly next to a normal area with a narrow, clearly contoured
pleural line (yellow). Reverberations (green) are only visible below the pleural line
in the normal area. This constellation is also found in COVID-19 patients in the early
stages of disease.
Fig. 8 Irregular fragmented pleura. As the inflammation in peripheral lung tissue increases,
the resulting decrease in alveolar air is spread unevenly. The visceral pleura in
these areas can no longer be visualized on ultrasound without optical amplification
of the air normally found in the pleural space. The image (b) clearly shows the interruptions to the pleural line (red).
Fig. 9 Consolidations and air bronchogram. The image shows a large area of impaired pulmonary
gas exchange (b, red). The hyperechoic punctiform artifacts in the consolidation area are referred
to as air bronchograms and are created by minute remaining pockets of alveolar and
bronchiolar air. No pleural line above the consolidation is visible on imaging. The
orange line marks the border between the consolidation and (still) ventilated lung
parenchyma.
-
irregular involvement of various adjacent pleural sections, alongside (still) normal
areas
-
large pleural effusions are rare; most likely are small effusions in the contact angle
(in the absence of other pathologies).
Imaging can be used to track the course of disease. The severity and course of the
ventilatory disorder can be closely monitored, with imaging showing both deterioration
(increases in the number and density of B-lines, confluence; consolidation) and improvement.
Posterior basal changes in ventilated patients can indicate improved responsiveness
to prone positioning; changes in the succession of B-lines can be used to adapt the
patientʼs ventilation.
Lung Consolidations in COVID-19
Lung Consolidations in COVID-19
The pathological mechanism triggered by the intracellular replication of SARS-CoV-2
results in the destruction of affected cells. In the lung, this leads to a loss of
structural alveolar integrity. The affected alveoli either become filled with interstitial
fluid or collapse. As in COVID-19 these pulmonary areas are often found in the subpleural
space, even small amounts of fluid accumulation in the alveoli can result in the above-mentioned
characteristic changes to the pleura and the increased visibility of B-lines on imaging
([Figs. 5] to [8]). As the disease progresses, the problem of adequate gas exchange increases ([Table 1]). The loss of alveolar air increases the density of the lung parenchyma more and
more until, in the end-stage, the consistency of the lung tissue in the affected areas
becomes that of a firm organ which can be assessed by ultrasound imaging just
like any other organ (e.g. the liver).
Table 1 Time line and pathophysiological development of typical lung sonography findings
in COVID-19.
|
Stage of inflammatory response
|
Symptoms
|
Typical with COVID-19
|
Typical for COVID-19
|
|
Focal B-lines
|
early
|
none, poss. unspecific feeling of malaise with a dry cough and fever
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Regional thickening of the pleural line
|
early
|
in addition, first signs of hypoxia without dyspnea
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Fragmented pleural line
|
advanced
|
additional dyspnea
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Regional pleural consolidations
|
advanced
|
in addition, first signs of respiratory insufficiency
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Limited air bronchogram
|
advanced
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Widespread, large consolidation areas with reduced perfusion
|
acute
|
additional somnolence, acute respiratory insufficiency
|
yes
|
yes
|
The developmental stages of such consolidations can be evaluated very well on ultrasound
scans, based on the amount of residual air in the alveoli, the so-called air bronchogram
([Fig. 9]). In the early consolidation stages, the extent of the consolidation and the intensity
of the air bronchograms still vary considerably, depending on the respiratory movement
of the lungs [16]. As the disease progresses, the dynamic respiratory response continually decreases,
which is an indication of an unfavorable prognosis.
Pleural Effusions in COVID-19
Pleural Effusions in COVID-19
The traditional aim of lung ultrasound scans is to evaluate the extent of pleural
effusions. Some obstetricians/gynecologists are experienced in recognizing effusions
in clinical practice, as certain complications of pregnancy and gynecological cancers
may result in the development of effusions. In general, pleural effusions are either
simply and uniformly anechoic or complicated by the presence of blood, pus, fibrin
and/or septa [17].
The description of the developmental stages of disease refers to individual inflammatory
foci and not to the overall development of disease. The described symptoms must therefore
be evaluated based on the number of areas in the lungs which are affected. Only pronounced
and widespread consolidations with reduced perfusion have not been previously reported
for other lung diseases and must therefore, based on current knowledge, be interpreted
as typical for COVID-19. Although all the other findings are completely typical with COVID-19, in principle they can also occur with other pulmonary diseases. While that
limits the sensitivity of lung sonography for the diagnosis of COVID-19 on the one
hand, on the other hand if the specificity is high, it can be used to exclude COVID-19
[18].
Lung Sonography in Clinical Practice
Lung Sonography in Clinical Practice
Choice of transducer
Ultrasound examination of the lungs can be carried out using a convex, linear or sector
transducer, depending on the problem requiring clinical evaluation. In practice, a
convex transducer with a penetration depth of 7 – 14 cm has been found to be generally
suitable for carrying out ultrasound scans of the lungs, as convex transducers can
visualize both structures which are close to the surface and underlying deeper structures
with sufficient resolution. A linear transducer with high frequencies and a limited
penetration depth (4 – 7 cm) is useful when carrying out more targeted examinations
to obtain a more precise assessment of the pleura and of pleural lung consolidations.
Examination setting in the delivery room and during the preliminary examination
Lung sonography is an expansion of the obstetric ultrasound scans carried out in the
delivery room. Ultrasound scans of the lung performed in this setting should be carried
out by obstetricians with ultrasound experience [12]. Lung sonography can also be carried out by trained midwives when the patient is
admitted. The examination should be done either when the patient is admitted to the
delivery room or when the patient presents to an outpatient pregnancy clinic. Lung
sonography can be carried out during the preliminary clinical examination or when
carrying out fetal biometry and should be specifically carried out if patients are
symptomatic. The examiner can simply move the transducer from the abdomen to the chest
area and scan the anterior, lateral and posterior basal lung segments. The examination
must cover all parts of the lungs, from the basal to the apical zone of the thorax.
To do this, the anterior and posterior thorax should be
systematically divided into eight different areas for examination ([Fig. 10]). Examining only one area does not serve any useful purpose.
Fig. 10 Anterior and posterior thoracic areas for examination. The posterior areas D3 – D8
are the most important points to screen if the patient is suspected of having COVID-19.
Conclusion
Respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 is a potentially life-threatening situation
for every patient, and patients must be examined as quickly as possible to obtain
a differential diagnosis. Lung sonography can play an important role in providing
additional information during prenatal screening, as the guidelines on radiation exposure
during pregnancy are particularly restrictive. Depending on the symptoms and the morphological
extent of the ultrasound findings, if the ultrasound examination shows lung involvement,
the patient should be admitted to hospital for close fetal and maternal monitoring
as accurate information about the course of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women is
still lacking [19].
We have proposed a systematic approach with documentation to allow obstetricians/gynecologists
to carry out lung ultrasound scans in pregnant women and have given a description
of potential applications and symptoms and the practical aspects which need to be
considered. Pathological ultrasound patterns should be compared with the ultrasound
patterns expected in a normal lung, with a particular focus on findings which may
indicate infection with COVID-19.
