Diagnostic lung ultrasound
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of the clinical value of conventional and elastography-enhanced lung ultrasound in the management of COVID-19
IRAS ID
283677
Contact name
Panagiotis Chatzistergos
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Being able to reliably monitor the extent of damage that COVID-19 causes to the lungs is crucial for deciding the best way to manage the condition. Currently this is done using X-ray or computer tomography (CT) imaging, but lung ultrasound (LUS) could also play a key role. Unlike X-ray or CT, ultrasound does not use harmful radiation and can be performed almost anywhere for bedside assessment. LUS is commonly used for other lung conditions, but its use in COVID-19 is limited due to the lack of clarity on the exact role it could play in the management of this particular disease. Another limitation of ultrasound is that its outcome tends to depend on the examiner’s experience and technique (i.e. it is operator-dependent).
This research aims to enhance the capacity of frontline clinicians to monitor the extent to which the lungs are affected by COVID-19 using bedside LUS. Our specific objectives are: 1)to clarify how conventional LUS should be used in the management of COVID-19 and 2) to significantly expand its clinical value by setting the basis for an operator-independent method to monitor the effect of COVID-19 on the lungs.
The operator-independent assessment of lungs will be based on an objective measurement of how lung-tissue is stretched during breathing to monitor changes in its stiffness (linked to tissue damage, healing). No other imaging technique currently available in clinics can offer such a capability for the lungs.
COVID-19 patients will be recruited when they are admitted to hospital, and they will be imaged daily using LUS until they leave hospital. The ability of LUS to predict key endpoints in the patients’ care will be tested (e.g. whether they will need mechanical ventilation). Diagnostic accuracy will be assessed against chest CT, in patients that will have CT imaging as part of their standard treatment.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0168
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion