The use of recruitment maneuvers (RMs) is suggested to improve severe oxygenation failure in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive, safe, and easily repeatable tool. It could be used to monitor the lung recruitment process in real-time. This paper aims to evaluate bedside LUS for assessing PEEP-induced pulmonary reaeration during RMs in pediatric patients. A case of a child with severe ARDS due to Haemophilus influenzae infection is presented. Due to his poor clinical, laboratory, and radiological evolution, he was placed on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Despite all measures, severe pulmonary collapse prevented proper improvement. Thus, RMs were indicated, and bedside LUS was successfully used for monitoring and assessing lung recruitment. The initial lung evaluation before the maneuver showed a tissue pattern characterized by a severe loss of lung aeration with dynamic air bronchograms and multiple coalescent B-lines. While raising a PEEP of 30 mmH2O, LUS showed the presence of A-lines, which was considered a predictor of reaeration in response to the recruitment maneuver. The LUS pattern could be used to assess modifications in the lung aeration, evaluate the effectiveness of RMs, and prevent lung overdistension.
Keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome; bedside ultrasound; lung ultrasound; pediatric intensive care; recruitment maneuvers.