Table 3.

Comparison of CT scan (CT), chest X-ray (CXR), lung ultrasound (LUS) and respiratory examination consisting of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation (RE) as techniques for the assessment of pulmonary status

Technique	Strengths	Weaknesses
CT scan	- Gold standard - Highest diagnostic value	- Irradiation - Bedside-systems very rarely available - High costs - Long acquisition and interpretation (hours) - Radiologist required
Chest X-ray	- Commonly used and widely accepted	- Irradiation - Limited access to bedside-compatible systems - Medium to high cost - Lower diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than LUS and CT scan - Long acquisition and interpretation (hours) - Radiologist required
Lung ultrasound	- Bedside performance - Relatively low cost - Standard ultrasound machine commonly available with general practitioners and clinics - High diagnostic and prognostic value - Fast (minutes)	- Appropriate lung ultrasound training required - Deep tissue lesions might not be picked up
Respiratory examination	- Bedside performance - Required skills part of general medical training - Only stethoscope needed - Low cost - Fast (minutes)	- Limited diagnostic value - Often additional assessments required for detailed diagnosis - Difficult in unconscious/comatose patients