Researchers Develop Novel ILD Ultrasound Approach

In a recent study, a new technique for lung ultrasonography (US) and criteria for interpreting results showed “perfect agreement between ultrasonographer and nonultrasonographer readers,” in screening and monitoring interstitial lung disease (ILD) among patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), the authors stated in Arthritis Care and Research.

The investigators collected brief US movies at 14 lung positions, and interpreted the results of imaging by concentrating on visualized pleural changes. “To assess the performance of our methodology for SSc-ILD detection, we prospectively enrolled SSc patients with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging within 3 months of lung US.”

The new acquisition technique and interpretation criteria were tested by evaluating 20 patients with SSc according to US of 278 lung zones, as well as high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). ILD was confirmed in 9 patients (45%) by HRCT, while lung US identified SSc-ILD among 11 patients (55%). The sensitivity of lung US was 100% and its specificity was 82% versus HRCT, the investigators noted.

Two blinded readers—1 ultrasonographer and 1 nonultrasonographer—independently scored the ultrasound exams, the authors reported. There was 100% agreement between the 2 readers; assessment by individual lung zones was 93.8% agreement between readers.

“ILD screening, characterization, and monitoring are important for therapeutic decision-making and prognostication,” the authors wrote. “Lung ultrasonography (US) is a potential alternative imaging modality for ILD detection.”

--Rebecca Mashaw

Reference:

Fairchild R, Chung M, Yang D, Sharpless L, Li S, Chung L. Development and assessment of novel lung ultrasound interpretation criteria for the detection of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Care Res. 2021;73(9):1338-1342. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24338