Clinical applications of the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score: conceptual review and case series
AbstractThe importance of functional right ventricular failure and resultant splanchnic venous congestion has long been under-appreciated and is difficult to assess by traditional physical examination and standard diagnostic imaging. The recent development of the venous excess ultrasound score (VExUS) and growth of point-of-care ultrasound in the last decade has made for a potentially very useful clinical tool. We review the rationale for its use in several pathologies and illustrate with several clinical cases where VExUS was pivotal in clinical management. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 19, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Correction to: A point-of-care thoracic ultrasound protocol for hospital medical emergency teams (METUS) improves diagnostic accuracy
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 16, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Association between preoperative evaluation with lung ultrasound and outcome in frail elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery for hip fractures: study protocol for an Italian multicenter observational prospective study (LUSHIP)
ConclusionsLung ultrasound (LU), as a tool within the anesthesiologist ’s armamentarium, is becoming increasingly widespread, and its use in the preoperative setting is also starting to become more common. Should the study demonstrate the ability of LU to predict postoperative cardiac and pulmonary complications in hip fracture patients, a randomized clinical trial w ill be designed with the scope of improving patient outcome.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04074876. Registered on August 30, 2019. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 7, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
A point-of-care thoracic ultrasound protocol for hospital medical emergency teams (METUS) improves diagnostic accuracy
ConclusionsThe use of thoracic POCUS during MET calls leads to better diagnosis and increases certainty.Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered 12 July 2017, NCT03214809https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03214809?term=metus&cntry=NL&draw=2&rank=1 (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 4, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
A retrospective evaluation of point of care ultrasound for acute cholecystitis in a tertiary academic hospital setting
ConclusionsECUS can be beneficial in ruling out acute cholecystitis, but lacks the test characteristics to be diagnostic for acute cholecystitis. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 3, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Longitudinal remotely mentored self-performed lung ultrasound surveillance of paucisymptomatic Covid-19 patients at risk of disease progression
AbstractCOVID-19 has impacted human life globally and threatens to overwhelm health-care resources. Infection rates are rapidly rising almost everywhere, and new approaches are required to both prevent transmission, but to also monitor and rescue infected and at-risk patients from severe complications. Point-of-care lung ultrasound has received intense attention as a cost-effective technology that can aid early diagnosis, triage, and longitudinal follow-up of lung health. Detecting pleural abnormalities in previously healthy lungs reveal the beginning of lung inflammation eventually requiring mechanical ventilation with se...
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - May 30, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Cost-minimization modeling of venous thromboembolism diagnostics: performing limited compression ultrasound in primary health care reduces costs compared to referring patients to a hospital
ConclusionUsing LCUS in diagnosing DVT in primary health care instead of referring these patients to the hospital is shown to save a significant amount of public and private resources. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - May 27, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Sonographic assessment of pediatric chest wall thickness and width of the intercostal space: correlation with anthropometric data and implications for needle decompression
ConclusionsCorrelation of chest wall thickness and width of the intercostal space with anthropometric data is at most moderate. Insertion depth and width of the intercostal space can therefore not be predicted accurately from anthropometric data. Ultrasound assessment of the thoracic wall appears to be a reliable technique and could therefore assist in reducing the risk of injury and increasing decompression success.Trial registration German clinical trials register, DRKS00014973, Registered February 11th 2019,https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00014973 (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - May 10, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
High-frequency ultrasound in clinical dermatology: a review
ConclusionAs frequency advancements in ultrasonography continue, the broad applications of this imaging modality will continue to grow. HFUS is a fast, safe and readily available tool that can aid in diagnosing, monitoring and treating dermatologic conditions by providing more objective assessment measures. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 20, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Scoping review of implementing a longitudinal curriculum in undergraduate medical education: The wake forest experience
ConclusionsThe results of the review and our institutional experience can help inform future educators interested in developing similar curricula in their undergraduate programs. Common standards, milestones and standardized competency-based assessments would be helpful in more widespread application of ultrasound in UGME curricula. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 19, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Resuscitative transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of post-CABG loculated pericardial clot causing cardiac tamponade
ConclusionsCardiac tamponade due to loculated posterior pericardial clot post-CABG requires prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to avoid the potential for hemodynamic instability. Transesophageal echocardiography allows a rapid diagnosis, early appropriate referral and an opportunity to institute appropriate therapeutic measures. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 15, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Intra- and inter-rater reliability of rectus femoris muscle thickness measured using ultrasonography in healthy individuals
ConclusionsIn our study, intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were measured at “excellent” and “moderate” levels in the healthy individuals based on a previously defined scale. Moreover, we determined the measurement error for quantifying rectus femoris thickness. Therefore, the measurement of rectus femoris thickness using US could be considered applicable in clinical research. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 15, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
A survey demonstrating that the procedural experience of residents in internal medicine, critical care and emergency medicine is poor: training in ultrasound is required to rectify this
DiscussionResidents in IM, CC and EM perceive that ultrasound-guided procedures are relevant to their practice. However, the IM residents performed fewer procedures than CC residents and EM residents at least partly because internists also lack skills in ultrasound. Training in ultrasound-guided procedures may reduce the use of landmark techniques and improve patient safety. Residents in IM, CC and EM therefore require training in ultrasound-guided procedures. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 13, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
One-month outcomes of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and their relationships with lung ultrasound signs
ConclusionsIn patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, LUS signs were related to respiratory symptoms 1 month after LUS screening. Strong relationships were identified between LUS signs and the need for hospitalization and death. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 9, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Analysis of an obstetrics point-of-care ultrasound training program for healthcare practitioners in Zanzibar, Tanzania
ConclusionTrainees improved significantly on all measures after the training program. 62% of the participants completed all requirements. This relatively low completion rate reflects the challenges of establishing ultrasound capacity in this type of setting. Further study is needed to determine trainees ’ long-term retention of ultrasound skills and the impact of the program on clinical practice and health outcomes. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 8, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
