Ultrasound imaging and use of B-lines for functional lung evaluation in neurocritical care: A prospective, observational study

The use of lung ultrasound imaging has been extensively tested in various subsets of critical care patients. It allows accurate diagnosis of various anatomical abnormalities, in real time and at the bedside, including pleural effusion; pneumothorax; pulmonary consolidation; and pulmonary abscess.1–7 Lung ultrasound in general critical care, and in some sub specialty settings (including cardiac and thoracic) has a wide consensus for the diagnosis of pulmonary consolidation. It effectively reduces the need for chest radiograph and the need to transport patients to radiological facilities.8–14 This diagnostic approach also provides information on lung functional status by estimation of lung water content, and leads to the diagnosis of interstitial-alveolar oedema and lung recruitment/ derecruitment status.15–18 Th