Application of ultrasound in diagnosis and treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has run rampant across the world, with a rapid transmission rate and a high infection rate. With the advantages of portability, easy sterilization, and multiple diagnostic mode, ultrasound can dynamically guide the diagnosis of pneumonia in COVID-19 patients, monitor patients’ medical conditions, and facilitate the treatment evaluation for the adjustment of therapeutic decision-making. Moreover, ultrasonic remote consultation can be carried out by intelligent ultrasonic equipment with the support of 4G/5G network. Ultrasonic experts can perform real-time scanning through remote operation of ultrasonic robot manipulators, which can effectively relieve the shortage of ultrasonic doctors in isolation wards and reduce infection risks. At present, ultrasound is the only visual imaging device that can be brought into isolation wards for bedside examination of COVID-19 patients. This article analyzes the application value of ultrasound technology in the examination, diagnosis, medical condition monitoring, and treatment evaluation of lung injury and even systemic multiple organ diseases in COVID-19 patients, and discusses the application prospect of remote ultrasound and artificial intelligence in the relevant fields.