From:  Advances in the validation of lung ultrasound for the detection of interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis

 Comparison of LUS with the diagnostic tools used to screen for interstitial lung disease.

CharacteristicsLUSPFTHRCT
AccessibilityHighModerateLow
CostLowModerateHigh
Availability of resultsImmediateDeferredDeferred
Ionizing radiationNoNoYes
Operator-dependentYesYesNo
Type of informationLung structure-related
Bidimensional
Restricted to the subpleural region
Lung function-related
Spirometry/plethysmography
DLCO
Lung structure-related
Three-dimensional
Whole lung
Diagnostic sensitivity*60%–98%52%Gold standard

*: LUS and PFT data obtained from the following included studies: LUS [2629, 3141] and PFT [41]; DLCO: diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide; HRCT: high-resolution computed tomography; LUS: lung ultrasound; PFT: pulmonary function tests.