THE DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF ULTRASOUND ARTIFACTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COVID19 PNEUMONIA

Lung ultrasonography (LUS) has emerged as a non-invasive, rapid, and reliable diagnostic modality for COVID-19 pneumonia. By analyzing pleural artifacts, including horizontal A-lines and vertical B-lines, LUS allows detection of interstitial syndromes, consolidations, and pleural irregularities. In this study, 50 hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 were examined using standardized BLUE and CLUE protocols across 3, 6, and 12 lung zones, with comparative analysis to computed tomography (CT). Findings demonstrate that LUS provides accurate bedside assessment, detects early pathological changes, monitors disease progression, and differentiates viral from bacterial pneumonia. LUS is particularly valuable in emergency, ward, and intensive care settings, offering a cost-effective, radiation-free, repeatable alternative to CT.