Ultrasonography of the cranial part of the thorax is a quick and sensitive technique to detect lung consolidation in veal calves

Abstract

Background In the veal calf industry, bovine respiratory disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is an accurate technique to diagnose bronchopneumonia in calves. Due to the economic constraints faced by the industry, a screening technique able to rapidly examine large numbers of calves is required. Objective To determine if lung ultrasonography focusing on the cranial part of the thorax (1st to 2nd intercostal space (ICS) on the right and 2nd to 3rd on the left) and/or on the middle part of the thorax (3rd to 5th ICS on the right and 4th to 5th on the left) (alternative techniques) are rapid screening techniques as sensitive as LUS of the entire lung (reference technique) to identify calves with lung consolidation lesions. Methods Data on 300 veal calves aged 33.1 ± 8.0 days and weighing on average 67.5 ± 4.0 kg at LUS from two farms were analysed. Systematic LUS of the entire lung was performed on all calves and a lung consolidation score was given to different parts of the thorax. Agreements between the alternative and the reference techniques were measured by Cohen's κ, McNemar's test and weighted κ. Results Agreement between LUS focusing on the cranial + middle part or on the cranial part only of the thorax and the reference technique were almost perfect with a cutoff of 1 cm. The relative sensitivity of these two alternative techniques was high (> 93%). Conclusion Lung ultrasonography of the cranial + middle part or on the cranial part only of the thorax are quick and sensitive techniques to identify veal calves with lung consolidation lesions shortly after arrival at the facility.

Accuracy and inter‐rater agreement among practitioners using quick thoracic ultrasonography to diagnose calf pneumonia

“…In most studies, the performance results of TUS as a diagnostic tool are based on the use of TUS by a trained operator or in an academic setting. Beginners' performance is seldomly included 12,14,15 . The results of the present study are important because they show that learning lung ultrasound is accessible but that good performance is not achievable for everyone with minimal effort.…”

“…In order for TUS to be suitable for use in practice, the technique should be standardised and quick to perform. In recent years, three different TUS techniques have been developed to meet these needs by focusing on scanning speed 10–12 . One of these techniques, quick TUS (qTUS), uses anatomical landmarks to ensure that each part of the lung is visualised 11,13 .…”

“…Although no comparative study has been performed evaluating differences in performance, the main difference from other techniques is that qTUS focuses on scanning the entire lung field in one fluent motion on each side of the thorax, including both caudal and cranial lobes. In contrast, other techniques either only evaluate commonly affected or easily accessible lung lobes, excluding the cranial lobes, or only include scanning of the middle and cranial lobes 10,12 . Although all these techniques have their own advantages and drawbacks, a standardised method for performing a TUS technique is crucial to ensure qualitative use under field conditions.…”

“…In recent years, three different TUS techniques have been developed to meet these needs by focusing on scanning speed. [10][11][12] One of these techniques, quick TUS (qTUS), uses anatomical landmarks to ensure that each part of the lung is visualised. 11,13 Although no comparative study has been performed evaluating differences in performance, the main difference from other techniques is that qTUS focuses on scanning the entire lung field in one fluent motion on each side of the thorax, including both caudal and cranial lobes.…”

Technological Tools for the Early Detection of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Farms

“…However, it is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in weaned heifers and fattening units [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Therefore, BRD is the main concern in heifer rearing and cattle feedlots worldwide [ 5 , 8 , 20 ]. Diagnosis of BRD in cattle is usually based on visual assessment of clinical signs, with low sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) [ 21 ].…”