Over the past decade, advancements in lung ultrasound (LUS) have driven the need to update the original international consensus from 2012. A multidisciplinary panel of LUS experts, spanning six countries and including clinical and technical professionals, has revised the guidelines to reflect these innovations and the evolving needs of the medical community. The updated consensus presents 20 statements classified as technical (5), clinical (11), educational (3), and safety-related (1), each accompanied by guidelines and proposals for future developments. LUS offers significant advantages over other imaging modalities, including real-time imaging, portability, lower cost, bedside availability, and the absence of ionizing radiation. These benefits have fueled its widespread adoption, further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the importance of standardized, evidence-based approaches in medical imaging.
For the first time, the consensus incorporates insights from engineers and physicists alongside clinical expertise, addressing key aspects of image formation, ultrasound propagation physics, and safety considerations related to ultrasound interactions with biological tissues. This interdisciplinary approach enhances the validity and reliability of the recommendations, fostering collaboration between clinicians and technical experts to drive innovation in LUS applications. The statements and accompanying guidelines address both current best practices and the anticipated trajectory of LUS development, making this updated consensus a comprehensive resource for diverse medical and scientific domains. The inclusion of technical and educational perspectives ensures that LUS continues to evolve as a reliable tool for diagnosing and managing lung conditions while emphasizing safety and standardization. These advancements are expected to further solidify the role of LUS in point-of-care diagnostics and beyond, offering a robust framework for research, education, and clinical practice.
