Using the Lung Sliding Index to distinguish common lung diseases

Validation and Clinical Utility of the Lung Sliding Index (LSI) for Differentiating Pulmonary Diseases: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Observational Assiut University · NCT06983366

This project will test whether the Lung Sliding Index (LSI) measured by bedside ultrasound can tell apart various lung conditions in adults with lung disease and in healthy volunteers.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment700 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAssiut University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Asyut)
Trial IDNCT06983366 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational case-control study will enroll adults with a range of pulmonary diagnoses and healthy controls and perform standardized 12-zone lung ultrasound scans on each participant. Each zone will receive an LSI score (0–3) for a total score of 0–36, with operators undergoing unified training and calibration before enrollment. A subset of participants will have repeat and blinded independent reads to measure intra- and interobserver reliability. Clinical data including spirometry, blood gases, symptom scores, and 6-minute walk tests will be collected and diagnostic utility will be analyzed using ROC curves while satisfaction and feasibility are measured with validated Likert questionnaires.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a confirmed diagnosis of pneumothorax, ILD/IPF, COPD/emphysema, bronchiectasis, community-acquired pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, or healthy volunteers who can consent and undergo lung ultrasound are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who are mechanically ventilated, cannot tolerate ultrasound, have extensive chest wall pathology that precludes imaging, or have more than two unscorable zones are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the LSI could give clinicians a quick, bedside ultrasound score to help differentiate causes of respiratory symptoms and speed more appropriate treatment decisions.

How similar studies have performed: While lung ultrasound is well established for diagnoses like pneumothorax and pleural effusion, the LSI as a standardized quantitative 12-zone score is relatively novel and has had limited prior validation beyond preliminary reports.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 years and older.
* Diagnosed with one of the specified pulmonary diseases, or a healthy control
* Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to tolerate or undergo a lung ultrasound
* Extensive chest wall pathology precluding assessment
* Unscorable \>2 zones per protocol
* Withdrawal of consent
* Mechanically-ventilated patients

Where this trial is running

Asyut

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions COPDILDBronchiectasisPneumothoraxPneumoniaPleural Effusion DisorderPulmonary Oedema
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.