Value of chest ultrasound in diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia

Detection of a technique used for diagnosis of Community Acquired Pneumonia by chest ultrasound compared to chest radiograph.StudySixty two patients presented with clinically diagnosed pneumonia (acute presentation of fever, cough, purulent expectoration and typical auscultation as rales and bronchial breath sound), patients with chronic chest and cardiac diseases are excluded from the study. Chest ultrasound and chest X-ray were done for all patients.ResultsChest ultrasound showed a significant diagnostic value of consolidation, as it showed signs of consolidation in 46 patients (74.2%) (P value 0.01), while Chest X-ray showed signs of consolidation in 32 patients (51.6%) (P value more than 0.05).ConclusionPerformance of chest ultrasound for the detection of pneumonia is excellent and superior to chest X-ray considering rapid access to bedside ultrasound and the excellent performance of this simple test.Clinical importanceThis study supports the routine use of chest ultrasound for the detection of community acquired pneumonia especially in cases in which chest X-ray is contraindicated or inaccessible.