The Role of B-Line Artifacts on Lung Ultrasound in Critically Ill Patients

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is becoming a valuable tool in assessing patients in the ER, ICU, and on the hospital wards because it is a simple, fast and harmless technique. One of the most distinct artefacts seen with LUS are B-lines, hyperechoic laser-like lines that form in the presence of thickened interlobular septa due to alveo-interstitial syndrome. Many researches have been conducted recently with a goal of correlating B-lines to specific known parameters such as EVLW, PAOP, lung density, and parameters of cardiac failure, either in quantitative or semiquantitative manner. This paper is a short overview of the present known correlations, shortcomings of conducted investigations and differential diagnosis problems and exceptions of B-line artefacts in everyday clinical practice.