Lung Sonography in Obstetrics during COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pulmonology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology

Background:

• The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presents significant risks, with severe illness often involving lung pathologies and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Accurate lung imaging is crucial for diagnosis, disease monitoring, and treatment planning in critically ill patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of lung ultrasound (LUS) as an additional diagnostic tool in obstetric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To explore the integration of LUS into routine prenatal imaging screening for pregnant women.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and clinical practice guidelines regarding lung imaging in pregnancy and COVID-19.
• Discussion of the advantages of ultrasound over radiation-emitting modalities in OBGYN settings.

Main Results:

• Lung sonography provides essential information for diagnosing and assessing lung involvement in pregnant patients.
• Ultrasound is a safe, radiation-free imaging technique suitable for routine use in obstetrics.

Conclusions:

• Lung ultrasound can be effectively incorporated into prenatal care, offering critical diagnostic insights for pregnant patients during the pandemic.
• In cases of suspected lung involvement, LUS findings guide decisions regarding hospitalization for close maternal and fetal monitoring.