Comparison of Lung Ultrasound and Chest Radiography for Pleural and Pulmonary Diagnosis in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Comparison of Lung Ultrasound and Chest Radiography for Pleural and Pulmonary Diagnosis in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

In pediatric intensive care unit of Strasbourg, two exams are easily used for pleural and pulmonary diagnosis : chest radiography, which is the "historic" and reference exam, and commonly systematically the lung ultrasound.

However, chest radiography produces radiation and is less accessible in our unit, because it depends on the radiology department.

On the opposite, the lung ultrasound doesn't produce radiation, is simple, reliable, easily accessible (the investigators have two ultrasound systems in the unit), and simply and quickly achievable at the patient's bedside, including for less experienced operator.

We will evaluate the diagnostic performances of lung ultrasound and chest radiography for pleural and pulmonary diagnosis in pediatric intensive care unit.

Inclusion criteria:

• Age under 18 years
• Patient in pediatric intensive care unit
• Patient registered with a social security scheme
• Agreement of the persons entitled to give parental authority over minor
• Patient which has, during his stay in pediatric intensive care unit, in order to have a pleural or pulmonary diagnosis, a chest radiography and then a lung ultrasound, at less than 2 hours interval.

Exclusion criteria:

- Refusal of the patient or of the persons entitled to give parental authority over minor to participate in the study