Physiotherapy-Led Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound Led to a More Appropriate Treatment for Lobar Collapse: A Case Report

Introduction: Lobar collapse in patients in the intensive care unit is traditionally diagnosed via chest radiography (CXR). Case Report: This patient had a recent CXR that suggested a new-onset, left, lower lobe collapse and no collapse of the right lower lobe. However, physiotherapy-led ultrasound identified a more significant right lower lobe collapse than left lower lobe collapse. Physiotherapy that included only left-side-lying repositioning resulted in full right lobe reexpansion, confirmed by repeat lung ultrasound (LUS). No additional lung recruitment techniques or invasive interventions were required. Discussion: LUS enabled a more accurate diagnosis than CXR, guided effective physiotherapy treatment, and confirmed a real-time response to positioning alone, supporting the need for broader integration of LUS into physiotherapy practice. However, challenges faced to implement broadly include access to training, supervision/mentoring, and appropriate governance and support.