Lung ultrasound is a practical tool for lung diagnosis when Computer Tomography is not available. Recent findings suggest that Lung ultrasound diagnosis is highly advantageous because of its mobility and correlation with radiological findings for viral pneumonia. Simple models for booth educational and technical evaluation are needed. Therefore this work investigates the usability of a large animal model under aspects of Lung Ultrasound features of viral pneumonia using saline One Lung Flooding. Six pigs were intubated with Double Lumen Tube, and the left lung instilled with saline. During the instillation of up to 12.5 ml/kg, the sonographic futures were assessed. All features present during viral pneumonia were found, such as B lines, White Lung Syndrome, pleural thickening as well as the formation of pleural consolidations. Sonographic findings correlate well with current Lung Ultrasound Scores for COVID19. Score of 1, 2 and 3 were dominantly present at 1-4 ml/kg, 4-8 mL/kg and 8-12 ml/kg saline instillation, respectively. The non-infective animal model can be used for the further investigation of Lung Ultrasound features and moreover serve in education, by helping with the appropriate handling of Lung Ultrasound in clinical practice during management of viral pneumonia.
In-Vivo assessment of lung ultrasound features mimicking viral pneumonia using a large animal model.