SDMS CME Credit – The Diagnostic Performance of Lung Sonography to Assess Pregnant Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2 Based on Varied Clinical Severity

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Article: The Diagnostic Performance of Lung Sonography to Assess Pregnant Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2 Based on Varied Clinical Severity

Authors: Memis Ali Mutlu, MD, Murat Yassa, MD, Arzu Bilge Tekin, MD, Pinar Birol Ilter, MD, Aysegul Gucuk, MD, Guldeniz Toklucu, MD, Kemal Sandal, MD, Bilge Dogan Taymur, MD, and Niyazi Tug, MD

Category: Other [OT]

Credit: 1.00 SDMS CME Credit

Objectives: After studying the article, you should be able to:

• Recognize the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound (LUS) in screening for COVID-19 in pregnant patients.

• Discuss the potential role of LUS in the management of a suspected COVID-19 infection in pregnant patients.

• Identify parameters for different severities of COVID-19 and LUS scores.

1. According to Table 1, a patient presenting with respiratory distress and oxygen saturation levels of less than 90% on room air would be classified with what disease severity?

2. B. Moderate

3. C. Severe

4. D. Critical

According to Table 2, what Lung Sonogram Score would a patient have whose lung sonogram shows a dense and wide “white lung” pattern?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

According to the article, what was the primary aim of the study?

A. To compare the cost-effectiveness of LUS and CT in diagnosing COVID-19.

B. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of LUS in pregnant patients with COVID-19.

C. To determine the long-term effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy.

D. To evaluate the effectiveness of a new antiviral treatment for COVID-19.

What is the diagnostic gold standard for detecting a COVID-19 infection?

A. Lung ultrasound (LUS)

B. Computer tomography (CT)

C. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

D. Clinical assessment

What was one potential reason for the high rejection rate of CT scans in the study cohort?

A. Concerns about the potential negative impact of ionizing radiation on the fetus.

B. Lack of availability of CT scanners in the tertiary center.

C. Patient preference for less invasive diagnostic methods.

D. Insufficient expertise among the medical staff in performing CT scans.

How many anatomical locations were covered in the study’s protocol using LUS?

A. 14

B. 2

C. 18

D. 10

According to Gil-Rodríguez et al., and in the context of declining COVID-19 prevalence, which scenario might still warrant the use of LUS?

A. When a patient presents with symptoms but tests negative for COVID-19 using RT-PCR.

B. When a patient has a positive RT-PCR test but shows no symptoms.

C. When a patient has been previously diagnosed with COVID-19 but is now experiencing a relapse.

D. When a patient is pregnant and has been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

According to Table 5, how many of the patients with severe or critical disease severity scored a Lung Ultrasound Score of 0?

A. 31

B. 4

C. 22

D. 0

What is a significant threat to external validity of the study?

A. The use of a convenience sample.

B. The reliance on patient self-reported information.

C. The lack of a control group.

D. The use of a single-center design.

According to the study, what are some of the advantages of using LUS for COVID-19 screening in pregnant patients?

A. LUS is more accurate than RT-PCR for diagnosing COVID-19.

B. LUS is the only imaging modality that can be used safely during pregnancy.

C. LUS is the most readily available and cost-effective imaging modality.

D. LUS is quick, safe, effective, and reproducible.