Lung Ultrasound to Evaluate Invasive Fungal Diseases after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are a leading cause of infection-related-mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this prospective pilot study, we investigated the use of bedside lung ultrasound (US) in IFD management. Ten consecutive hematological patients, who developed pulmonary IFD after HSCT, were included in the study. Standard computed tomography scan and lung US were performed at IFD diagnosis and 10 days after antifungal treatment. The lung US demonstrated a high sensitivity in the detection of lung lesions at IFD diagnosis and in the follow-up examinations. It is of potential clinical relevance for IFD management in hematological patients.

Keywords: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Invasive fungal disease; Ultrasound.