The role of lung ultrasound in differentiating lung congestion and lung infection in pediatric cardiac patients

Background Lung sonography in emergency situations has become one of the most appropriate studies. This technique allows us to diagnose the major causes of acute respiratory distress at the bedside without major interventions. It is an easy and costless approach to diagnose many lung diseases. Patients and methods This work is a cross‑sectional, prospective, and descriptive study that included cardiac patients admitted to the pediatric cardiology ward through a period of 6 months. They had their data completely revised and their treatment recorded and diagnosis traced with a direct question: is it congestion or infection. A lung ultrasound (LUS) was done to assure the diagnosis. Also, chest radiography and echocardiography correlation were assessed. Results A total of 60 patients were enrolled over a period of 6 months (58% were males), with a mean age ± SD of 17.33 ± 30.91 months. The B‑profile was found in 27 patients; A‑profile was found in 35 patients; AB‑profile was found in six cases and hypoechoic areas were found in nine cases. LUS appeared to be normal in three cases. Conclusion LUS shows high reliability and accuracy in the diagnosis of pneumonia, pulmonary congestion, pulmonary edema, air trapping, and the possibility of a follow‑up until complete resolution of many lung diseases, without exposure to harmful radiation.