bedside ultrasound vs. supine chest x-ray for pneumothorax

RAGING HYPOTHETICAL:
--trauma patient, worried about pneumothorax
--how good is the bedside ultrasound? (sliding lung sign)








YOUTUBE ASSIST:

STUDY 1 (176 patients):

• sensitivity (CXR): 75.5%
• sensitivity (US): 98.1%
• specificity (CXR): 100%
• specificity (US): 99.2%

STUDY 2 (120 patients):

• sensitivity (CXR): 82.7%
• sensitivity (US): 89.7%
• specificity (CXR): 100%
• specificity (US): 97%

REVIEW ARTICLE (4 articles, 606 patients):

• sensitivity (CXR): 28-75%
• sensitivity (US): 86-98%
• specificity (CXR): 100%
• specificity (US): 97-100%  

BOTTOM LINE:
--bedside ultrasound vs. supine CXR for pneumothorax...
--both are very specific
--ultrasound is more sensitive than supine CXR


Submitted by S. Lee.


Reference(s): youtube video, study 1, study 2, review article, picture