title: Lung ultrasound findings in meconium aspiration syndrome.
abstract: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a rare and life-threatening neonatal lung injury induced by meconium in the lung and airways. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a quick, easy and cheap imaging technique that is increasingly being used in critical care settings, also for newborns. In this paper we describe ultrasound findings in MAS. Six patients with MAS of variable severity were examined by LUS during the first hours of life. Chest X-rays were used as reference. The following dynamic LUS signs were seen in all patients: (1) B-pattern (interstitial) coalescent or sparse; (2) consolidations; (3) atelectasis; (4) bronchograms. No pattern was observed for the distribution of signs in lung areas, although the signs varied with time, probably due to the changing localisation of meconium in the lungs. LUS images corresponded well with X-ray findings. In conclusion, we provide the first formal description of LUS findings in neonates with MAS. LUS is a useful and promising tool in the diagnosis and management of MAS, providing real-time bedside imaging, with the additional potential benefit of limiting radiation exposure in sick neonates.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Institute of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University Hospital "A. Gemelli", Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rome Italy. Electronic address: nadya.yousef@bct.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piastra
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, FAME Department, South Paris University Hospitals, "Kremlin-Bicêtre" Medical Center Paris France; Division of Pediatrics and Neonatal Critical Care, FAME Department, South Paris University Hospitals, "A. Beclère" Medical Center Paris France.
authors.forename: Nadya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yousef
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatrics and Neonatal Critical Care, FAME Department, South Paris University Hospitals, "A. Beclère" Medical Center Paris France.
authors.forename: Roselyne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brat
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, OISRM S. Anna Turin Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manzoni
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, FAME Department, South Paris University Hospitals, "Kremlin-Bicêtre" Medical Center Paris France.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mokhtari
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Institute of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University Hospital "A. Gemelli", Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rome Italy; Division of Pediatrics and Neonatal Critical Care, FAME Department, South Paris University Hospitals, "A. Beclère" Medical Center Paris France.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Luca
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Lung ultrasound; Meconium aspiration; Neonate