Prospective comparison between chest ultrasound and X-ray in two planes in patients with suspected community-acquired pneumonia. Intermediate results (02/2011) of a prospective multicenter DEGUM-/ÖGUM-study

Aim: The aim of the prospective study is to define the sensitivity of chest ultrasound (US) in diagnosing and follow-up of community- acquired pneumonia (CAP). Patients and methods: US was performed in 326 patients (age 18-95 years; 211 males, 115 females) with suspected CAP. The results were first compared to X-ray in two planes. In case of positive US and negative or inconclusive X-ray a low-dose computed tomography (CT) was performed. Sonographic characterisation of pneumonia was carried out at day 0, between day 5-8 and between day 13-16. Results*: US / X-ray / CT / Number of patients: negative / negative / not done / n=109 negative / inconclusive / negative / n=8 positive / positive / not done / n=163 positive / inconclusive / positive / n=10 positive / negative / positive / n=13 positive / negative / negative / n=1 positive / inconclusive / negative / n=2 negative / positive / not done / n=13 negative / inconclusive / positive / n=2 *US was inconclusive in 5 patients, which had to be deleted according to the study protocol. Conclusions: The intermediate results suggest a high sensitivity and specificity of US in diagnosing and follow-up CAP. The final results will be available in September 2011.