ABSTRACT
Introduction: Lung Ultrasound (LUS) can track interstitial changes of COVID-19 pneumonia (CP) in the acute phase. CT has been used to evaluate the development of lung fibrosis post CP but its use is associated with increased ionising radiation. Aims and Objectives: We conducted a prospective single-centre pilot to assess the utility and feasibility of using serial LUS in adult patients recovering from CP. We hypothesize that LUS may provide a safe and acceptable alternative to CT imaging for the outpatient follow-up of these patients. Method(s): 21 subjects provided consent on the day of hospital discharge (D0) and were followed up for 83 days. High-resolution CT was performed on Day 83 and correlated with LUS on Days 0/41/83. Serum Ferritin, LDH, CRP, D-Dimer (Days 0/41/83), Spirometry (Day 41/83) and Quality of Life measures (EQ-5D Day 41/83) were obtained. 3 clinicians reviewed and scored the LUS images independently;CT scoring was performed by 2 thoracic radiologists blinded to the LUS findings. Result(s): 19 subjects completed the study (10 males [52%];mean age: 52 years [range:37-74]). LUS scores were significantly lower at Days 83 and 41 compared to Day 0 (Mean = 1.5 [D83] / 2.8 [D41] / 10.9 [D0] p<0.0001). Ground glass change was the most common finding on CT at Day 83. Correlation between LUS with HRCT at Day 83 was weak (Pearson r2=0.44). However a better correlation was observed in % change of LUS scores and KCO at Day 84 compared to Day 42 (r2=0.64). Conclusion(s): LUS may be a useful point of care tool for the assessment of patients recently recovered from CP. However its role in the evaluation of post CP lung fibrosis requires further study.