title: Thoracic ultrasound: Potential new tool for physiotherapists in respiratory management. A narrative review.
abstract: The use of diagnostic ultrasound by physiotherapists is not a new concept; it is frequently performed in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Physiotherapists currently lack accurate, reliable, sensitive, and valid measurements for the assessment of the indications and effectiveness of chest physiotherapy. Thoracic ultrasound may be a promising tool for the physiotherapist and could be routinely performed at patients' bedsides to provide real-time and accurate information on the status of pleura, lungs, and diaphragm; this would allow for assessment of lung aeration from interstitial syndrome to lung consolidation with much better accuracy than chest x-rays or auscultation. Diaphragm excursion and contractility may also be assessed by ultrasound. This narrative review refers to lung and diaphragm ultrasound semiology and describes how physiotherapists could use this tool in their clinical decision-making processes in various cases of respiratory disorders. The use of thoracic ultrasound semiology alongside typical examinations may allow for the guiding, monitoring, and evaluating of chest physiotherapy treatments. Thoracic ultrasound is a potential new tool for physiotherapists.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit and Department of Critical Care Medicine, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France. Electronic address: aymeric.leneindre@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aymeric
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Neindre
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mongodi
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit and Department of Critical Care Medicine, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Philippart
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, C.H.U. de Dijon, Dijon, France; Faculty of Medicine, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Bélaïd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bouhemad
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Chest; Outcome assessment; Physiotherapy; Respiratory therapy; Ultrasound