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Ultrasound as a potential tool for the assessment of interstitial lung disease in rheumatic patients. Where are we now?

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Abstract

Lung ultrasound (LUS) achieved an intriguing role in the management of pulmonary involvement in patients affected by connective tissues diseases (CTDs). Few studies have been performed to support its usefulness in the evaluation of the presence and the severity of interstitial lung disease (ILD), relating it to the information obtained with chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). These results open up new fields of research in order to demonstrate the utility of LUS as screening tool to evaluate ILD in CTD. The aim of this review is to provide the “state of the art” of the role of LUS in the management of ILD associated with CTD.

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Correspondence to Marika Tardella.

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The authors would like to make the following statements with regard to their conflicts of interest/financial disclosures: MG has attended advisory board meetings and scientific consultancies and has obtained speaking fees for: AbbVie, Novartis, UCB, Esaote SpA, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Sanofi Aventis. MT, LR, JM, DC-C, AG, CB declare that they have no competing interests.

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Gutierrez, M., Tardella, M., Rodriguez, L. et al. Ultrasound as a potential tool for the assessment of interstitial lung disease in rheumatic patients. Where are we now?. Radiol med 124, 989–999 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-019-01053-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-019-01053-5

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