Diaphragm ultrasound in children useful in emergency and non-emergency indications. Clinical applications: A systematic review

Abstract

M-mode ultrasonography has been used in the assessment of diaphragm kinetics. The sonographic diaphragmatic parameters can provide valuable information in the assessment and follow-up of patients with diaphragmatic dysfunction, during ventilation, and can potentially help to understand post-operative pulmonary dysfunction or weaning failure from ventilation. We conducted a systematic review of literature concerning the clinical applications of diaphragmatic ultrasound in children. The morphological and functional evaluation of the diaphragm by ultrasound technique is becoming an increasingly widespread practice in intensive, medical and surgery category. Our systematic review shows how diaphragmatic ultrasonography finds indication in different areas. It requires a standardization of parameters and normal measurement values.