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Several studies have suggested that lung ultrasound can identify pneumonia (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jun 2015 and Am J Emerg Med 2015; 33:620; NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med May 2015 and Pediatrics 2015; 135:714). Investigators randomized 191 patients (median age, 3 years) presenting to a pediatric emergency department with suspected pneumonia to initially receive either lung ultrasound or chest x-ray. All patients randomized to x-ray underwent subsequent lung ultrasound. Patients randomized to ultrasound could undergo subsequent chest x-ray if desired by the treating team or patient's family. Ultrasound was performed by 15 pediatric emergency physicians who completed a 1-hour training session.
Of 103 patients in the ultrasound group, 61% subsequently…