Pneumonia is a common infectious disease of respiratory system with high incidence
in autumn and winter. It refers to the inflammation of terminal airway, alveoli and pulmonary interstitium, which can be caused by pathogenic microorganisms, physical and chemical factors, immune injury, allergy and drugs. Clinically, there are mainly fever, cough, expectoration, bloody sputum, accompanied by chest pain, more serious illness, and even expiratory dyspnoea and other symptoms. The relative incidence of infants and young children is relatively high, and the symptoms may not be too obvious compared with adults, so we must attach great importance to it. Ultrasonography of the lung has a high clinical value in the detection of lung inflammatory lesions. What is lung ultrasound? Lung ultrasound is a medical diagnostic method that uses ultrasound technology to examine children’s lungs. Compared with traditional X-ray or CT scanning, lung ultrasound has the advantages of no radiation, real-time dynamic observation, convenience and safety. Lung ultrasound examination is suitable for the following situations: 1. Preliminary screening of lung diseases: For some patients with suspected lung diseases, lung ultrasound examination can be carried out first to preliminarily understand the structure and pathological changes of the lung. 2. Diagnosis of lung diseases: For some lung diseases that have been diagnosed, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and emphysema, lung ultrasound examination can help doctors understand the scope and extent of the lesions and guide the formulation of treatment plans. 3. Follow-up of lung diseases: For some patients with lung diseases who have been treated, regular lung ultrasound examination can understand the changes of the condition and adjust the treatment plan in time. 4. Screening of high-risk groups: For some high-risk groups, such as long-term smokers, occupational exposure and so on, regular lung ultrasound examination can detect lung diseases early and reduce mortality rate. It is especially suitable for infants and other patients who are not suitable for radiological examination. The characteristics of lung ultrasound are non-invasive and painless: no puncture or injection is required, and there is no damage to the child. Real-time dynamic: It can observe the changes of lung structure and function in real time. High resolution: clearly shows the structure of lung tissue. Widely applicable: suitable for people of all ages, including newborns. Immediate diagnosis: The examination can be completed quickly at the bedside and the preliminary diagnosis can be obtained. Pneumonia caused by pathogen infection or physical and chemical factors, alveolar-interstitial syndrome (pulmonary edema), pneumothorax, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (also known as hyaline membrane disease), and atelectasis caused by lack of alveolar surfactant in premature infants; Neonatal wet lung, also known as type II/benign respiratory distress syndrome, is a temporary expiratory dyspnoea caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lung due to delayed drainage of fluid through the intrapulmonary lymphatic vessels. Diagnosis and puncture localization of pleural effusion. Preparation and emotional comfort before lung ultrasound examination: As children may be afraid of unfamiliar environment and instruments, parents need to do a good job of comfort in advance. Comfortable: Make sure the child is wearing loose clothing that exposes the area to be examined. Body position during lung ultrasound examination: assist the child to adopt the appropriate body position according to the lung area to be examined. Apply couplant: Apply an appropriate amount of couplant to the ultrasound probe for better skin contact. Scanning observation: The doctor holds the probe to move in the chest of the child in an orderly manner, while observing the image information on the display screen. Record data: The physician records the data and images for subsequent analysis. Safety of Lung Ultrasound Lung ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure with high safety. So far, no reports have shown that lung ultrasound can cause any side effects or adverse effects on the human body. As a new means of medical examination, lung ultrasound plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric respiratory diseases. Parents should fully understand its advantages and characteristics, actively cooperate with doctors to complete relevant examinations, and escort the healthy growth of children.
