Collateral Effect of the Pandemic on Ultrasound

We have been following publications on ultrasound of the lung in patients with COVID 19 with great interest [1] [2] [3]. We also know all the precautionary measures for an ultrasound examination of a patient who has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. However, this pandemic seems to have an even greater impact on the ultrasound community. As not all patients we see are tested for SARS-CoV-2, we are confronted with additional organizational measures and intensified hygiene protocols in our clinical routine outside the isolation ward. On a daily basis we are reminded that our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 is still incomplete and that the benefit of some hygienic measures is under debate. Still, the latter are advised or at least recommended from a medicolegal standpoint. In interesting surveys conducted before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the ultrasound decontamination procedures of the ultrasound community were assessed in questionnaires [4] [5]. Regarding surface or endo-cavity ultrasound or interventional procedures, the practice for decontamination was inhomogeneous. Long before this pandemic, some ultrasound societies (e. g. EFSUMB, AIUM) released recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting probes. Nevertheless, we can assume that there were many “different interpretations” of good practice. So maybe this pandemic will lead to a long-term change and improvement of our practice for probe decontamination.

Publication History

Article published online:
08 December 2020

• References

• 1 Lu W, Zhang S, Chen B. et al A Clinical Study of Noninvasive Assessment of Lung Lesions in Patients with Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) by Bedside Ultrasound. Ultraschall in Med 2020; 41: 300-307 . doi:10.1055/a-1154-8795
• 2 Piscaglia F, Stefanini F, Cantisani V. et al Benefits, Open questions and Challenges of the use of Ultrasound in the COVID-19 pandemic era. The views of a panel of worldwide international experts. Ultraschall in Med 2020; 41: 228-236 . doi:10.1055/a-1149-9872
• 3 Soldati G, Smargiassi A, Inchingolo R. et al Proposal for International Standardization of the Use of Lung Ultrasound for Patients With COVID-19: A Simple, Quantitative, Reproducible Method. J Ultrasound Med 2020; 39: 1413-1419 . doi:10.1002/jum.15285
• 4 Nyhsen CM, Humphreys H, Nicolau C. et al Infection prevention and ultrasound probe decontamination practices in Europe: a survey of the European Society of Radiology. Insights Imaging 2016; 7: 841-847 . doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0528-z
• 5 Westerway SC, Basseal JM, Abramowicz JS. Medical Ultrasound Disinfection and Hygiene Practices: WFUMB Global Survey Results. Ultrasound Med Biol 2019; 45: 344-352 . doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.09.019