“Sigmoid diverticulitis mimicking cholecystitis” a clinical challenge
We reported a case of a 70-year-old female who presented to our Emergency Department (ED) with right upper quadrant pain and an initial clinical suspicion of cholecystitis. Ultrasound (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) demonstrated an anatomical variation of the sigmoid colon diverticulitis. This clinical report demonstrates that ultrasound plays a relevant part as first-step approach to the acute abdominal conditions and its accuracy increases together with other diagnostic tools such as Computer Tomography. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 10, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of stump appendicitis in the emergency department
ConclusionsDespite its rarity, it is feasible to diagnose SA using PoCUS, as patients presenting with right lower quadrant pain and history of appendectomy are at risk for delayed diagnosis, perforation, and poor outcome. PoCUS may reduce time to diagnosis, time to definitive operative or non-operative management, and minimize morbidity. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 10, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Diagnostic value of whole-body-focused ultrasonography in high-acuity patients in the emergency department: a prospective single-center cross-sectional study
ConclusionFocused cardiopulmonary ultrasonography might be considered for routine use in high-acuity ED patients with cardiopulmonary symptoms whereas focused ultrasonography of the abdomen and deep veins performed by non-expert sonographers only seems indicated in selected patients.Trial registration Danish Data Protection Agency (ID 13/12076). Committee on Biomedical Research Ethics for the Region of Southern Denmark (ID S-20130047). (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - May 26, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
A road map for point-of-care ultrasound training in internal medicine residency
ConclusionsPOCUS can be successfully taught to internal medicine residents as a part of internal medicine training. Many common elements and principles are evident on review of these four described successful programs. Future support, in the form of endorsed medical society guidelines, will be needed before POCUS is universally incorporated across internal medicine residency training programs. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - May 8, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Changes in speckle-tracking-derived mechanical dispersion index are associated with 30-day readmissions in acute heart failure
ConclusionsMDI has promise as a treatment response variable in admitted patients with AHF; however, further study is needed. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - May 1, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Cardiac A-lines in fast scan as a sign of pneumopericardium
ConclusionsAlthough FAST scan was originally used to look for presence of free fluid, with the knowledge of lung ultrasound for pneumothorax, our findings suggest that FAST scan can also be used to detect pneumopericardium. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 24, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Basic critical care echocardiography training of intensivists allows reproducible and reliable measurements of cardiac output
ConclusionsCritical care echocardiography performed at the bedside by intensivists with basic critical care echocardiography training is an accurate and reproducible technique to measure cardiac output in critically ill patients. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 15, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Temporary transvenous pacing guided by the combined use of ultrasound and intracavitary electrocardiography: a feasible and safe technique
AbstractTemporary transvenous pacing is a crucial procedure in emergency and critical care medicine. While fluoroscopy guidance is considered the gold-standard to place the temporary pacing electrode catheter (EC), its use is usually limited by equipment availability and time. By contrast, ultrasound (US) guidance is a useful alternative, since it is widely available at the bedside, does not emit ionizing radiation and provides optimal times to active pacing with fewer complications. However, many times, in spite of visualizing the EC in the right ventricle using US, the pacing capture and sensing are not optimal, and thus...
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - April 3, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Persistent hypoxemia after an asthma attack
We report the case of a patient who presented persistent hypoxemia after an adequate treatment for a severe asthma attack requiring intensive care unit admission. The patient underwent a transthoracic microbubbles contrast echocardiography that showed a massive patent foramen ovale. The favorable clinical course and the absence of major signs and symptoms related to patent foramen ovale allowed a conservative approach with a follow-up program. Patent foramen ovale should be suspected in case of persistent hypoxemia after a severe asthma attack had resolved. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - March 20, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Correlation of OSCE performance and point-of-care ultrasound scan numbers among a cohort of emergency medicine residents
ConclusionThe results of this small single residency program study suggest a pattern of improvement in OSCE performance as scan numbers increased, with the appearance of a plateau effect around 300 scans. Further investigation of this correlation in diverse practice environments and within individual ultrasound modalities will be necessary to create generalizable recommendations for scan requirements as part of overall POCUS proficiency assessment. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - March 4, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
A narrative review of diaphragm ultrasound to predict weaning from mechanical ventilation: where are we and where are we heading?
ConclusionsThe aim of this narrative review is to briefly describe the common methods of diaphragmatic function assessment using ultrasound techniques, before summarizing the major points raised by the recent reviews. A narrative summary of the most recent data will be presented, before concluding with a brief discussion of future research directions in this field. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - February 28, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Fat embolism in right internal jugular vein: incidental ultrasound finding during internal jugular vein cannulation
ConclusionsPoint-of-care ultrasound findings of fat embolism in central vein can facilitate and increase the suspicion of fat embolism syndrome. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - February 25, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Clinical measurements obtained from point-of-care ultrasound images to assess acquisition skills
ConclusionsClinical measurements obtained from point-of-care ultrasound images acquired contemporaneously by trainees and an instructor can be used to quantitatively assess the image acquisition competence of specific trainees. This method may obviate resource-intensive qualitative rating systems that are based on ultrasound image quality and direct observation, while also helping instructors guide remediation. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - February 22, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Point-of-care ultrasound evaluation and puncture simulation of the internal jugular vein by medical students
ConclusionThe training of medical students to recognize large neck vessels is a simple, quick, and feasible task and that can be integrated into the undergraduate medical curriculum. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - December 19, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Interpretation errors in focused cardiac ultrasound by novice pediatric emergency medicine fellow sonologists
ConclusionNovice PEM fellow sonologists (a physician who performs and interprets ultrasound) in the majority of instances were able to acquire and remotely interpret FOCUS images with limited training. However, they made real-time interpretation errors and likely need further training to incorporate real-time image acquisition and interpretation into their practice. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - December 9, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
