Lung ultrasound correlation with chronic inflammation in CF lung disease

<bold>Background:</bold> CF Lung disease is marked by frequent exacerbations, being characterized by chronic inflammation. Lung ultrasound (LUS) was proved to be useful in evaluation of advanced lung structural disease. We aimed to evaluate the relation between LUS CF score and chronic inflammatory markers. <bold>Methods:</bold> An observational study was initiated, including patients followed in our center, programmed for monthly evaluation. Lung ultrasound was performed with 7-12 linear and 6-8 micro convex probe, 3.5 MHz convex transducers was used in older patients. A previously developed LUS CF score was used for non-invasive quantification of lung disease severity and total serum IgG and gamma globulins were considered as chronic inflammation markers. <bold>Results:</bold> 68 patients were included in the study, from these 12 % had chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 30,3 % were chronically infected with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain. The median LUS CF score was: 6.28 and median value of IgG =1034 mg/dl, g-globin=15.2. A good correlation was found between LUS CF score and IgG levels in our group (rs=0.83). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Lung ultrasound correlates with chronic lung damage in cystic fibrosis. LUS CF score might be considered as a reliable noninvasive parameter for CF- related chronic inflammation.