Lung Ultrasound as a Monitoring Tool.

Lung ultrasound has proven to be useful in detecting pneumothorax, interstitial syndrome, and lung consolidations. It is easily applied at the bedside, real time and free of radiation hazards. Recently, the use of lung ultrasound has moved from being a diagnostic tool to a monitoring tool for lung aeration quantification. This article reviews the use of lung ultrasound in monitoring acute pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, and how it can be used to monitor changes during application of mechanical ventilation or other treatment for respiratory failure.