Table 2 Comparison of thoracic image characteristics for diagnosis, procedures and monitoring

(supine)

Chest X-ray

Less accuracy compared with LUS and CT scan (–-);

Superior to LUS in case of subcutaneous emphysema (+ + +);

More precise for CVC tip location (+ + +);

PAC, nasogastric and chest tube positioning (+ + +);

Excessive radiation exposure, risk of patient trauma and PTSD (–-);

LUS

More accurate for consolidation, pleural effusion, interstitial syndrome, and pneumothorax (+ +);

Not applicable in case of subcutaneous emphysema (–-);

More accuracy to guide pleural drainage position (+ + +);

Optimal for daily evaluation of the LUS score, radiation free, low cost (+ + +);

CT scan

Gold standard for diagnosis of consolidation, pleural effusion, interstitial syndrome, and pneumothorax and the only one for PE (+ + +);

Gold standard (+ + +);

Not applicable (–-);