Case Report: Pulmonary hemorrhage as a rare cause of lung ultrasound A/B-profile

F1000Res. 2019 Jun 5:8:788. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.19329.2. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

When using lung ultrasound to determine the cause of acute respiratory failure, the BLUE protocol is often used. In a 65-year old patient, an A/B-profile was found, suggesting pneumonia, following the flowchart of this protocol. In this case, however, pulmonary hemorrhage confirmed by bronchoscopy was the final diagnosis. This case report outlines the importance of understanding the limitations of the BLUE protocol and that lung ultrasound findings should always be used in the context of the patient's history and physical exam. In addition, pulmonary hemorrhage should be considered in patients with no clinical signs of pneumonia and/or presence of risk factors for lung bleeding as a rare cause of lung ultrasound A/B-profile.

Keywords: BLUE-Protocol; Lung Ultrasound; Pulmonary Hemorrhage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Hemorrhage*
  • Humans
  • Lung
  • Lung Diseases* / complications
  • Lung Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Pneumonia*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome*
  • Ultrasonography

Grants and funding

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.