Usefulness of point-of-care ultrasound in military medical emergencies performed by young military medicine residents

2019 ◽  
pp. jramc-2018-001132
Author(s):  
Pierre Perrier ◽  
J Leyral ◽  
O Thabouillot ◽  
D Papeix ◽  
G Comat ◽  
...  

IntroductionTo evaluate the usefulness of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) performed by young military medicine residents after short training in the diagnosis of medical emergencies.MethodsA prospective study was performed in the emergency department of a French army teaching hospital. Two young military medicine residents received ultrasound training focused on gall bladder, kidneys and lower limb veins. After clinical examination, they assigned a ‘clinicaldiagnostic probability’ (CP) on a visual analogue scale from 0 (definitely not diagnosis) to 10 (definitive diagnosis). The same student performed ultrasound examination and assigned an ‘ultrasounddiagnostic probability’ (UP) in the same way. The absolute difference between CP and UP was calculated. This result corresponded to the Ultrasound Diagnostic Index (UDI), which was positive if UP was closer to the final diagnosis than CP (POCUS improved the diagnostic accuracy), and negative conversely (POCUS decreased the diagnostic accuracy).ResultsForty-eight patients were included and 48 ultrasound examinations were performed. The present pathologies were found in 14 patients (29%). The mean UDI value was +3 (0–5). UDI was positive in 35 exams (73%), zero in 12 exams (25%) and negative in only one exam (2%).ConclusionPOCUS performed after clinical examination increases the diagnostic accuracy of young military medicine residents.

Cardiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Ronny Alcalai ◽  
Boris Varshisky ◽  
Ahmad Marhig ◽  
David Leibowitz ◽  
Larissa Kogan-Boguslavsky ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Early and accurate diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is essential for initiating lifesaving interventions. In this article, the diagnostic performance of a novel point-of-care rapid assay (SensAheart<sup>©</sup>) is analyzed. This assay qualitatively determines the presence of 2 cardiac biomarkers troponin I and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein that are present soon after onset of myocardial injury. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted a prospective observational study of consecutive patients who presented to the emergency department with typical chest pain. Simultaneous high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and SensAheart testing was performed upon hospital admission. Diagnostic accuracy was computed using SensAheart or hs-cTnT levels versus the final diagnosis defined as positive/negative. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 225 patients analyzed, a final diagnosis of ACS was established in 138 patients, 87 individuals diagnosed with nonischemic chest pain. In the overall population, as compared to hs-cTnT, the sensitivity of the initial SensAheart assay was significantly higher (80.4 vs. 63.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.002) whereas specificity was lower (78.6 vs. 95.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.036). The overall diagnostic accuracy of SensAheart assay was similar to the hs-cTnT (82.7% compared to 76.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.08). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Upon first medical contact, the novel point-of-care rapid SensAheart assay shows a diagnostic performance similar to hs-cTnT. The combination of 2 cardiac biomarkers in the same kit allows for very early detection of myocardial damage. The SensAheart assay is a reliable and practical tool for ruling-in the diagnosis of ACS.


2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110582
Author(s):  
Ahmed Elshimy ◽  
Ahmed M Osman ◽  
Mohamed El Sayed Awad ◽  
Mohamed M Abdel Aziz

Background Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often the “gold standard” for diagnosing knee problems, it has many limitations. Therefore, ultrasonography has been suggested as an effective rapid alternative in many knee abnormalities, especially after injuries of the meniscus and collateral ligaments. Purpose To determine the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in detecting injuries of the meniscus and collateral ligament compared to MRI. Material and Methods An observational cross-sectional blinded study was conducted of 60 patients with clinically suspicious meniscus and collateral ligament injuries who were planned for an arthroscopy and or operative procedure. These patients underwent both blinded POCUS and MRI of the knees before the intervention procedure and results of both imaging modalities were compared according to the operative and arthroscopic findings. Results The preoperative reliability of POCUS compared to MRI for the assessment of meniscus injuries was sensitivity (92.9% vs. 90.5%), specificity (88.9% vs. 83.3%), positive predictive value (PPV; 95.1% vs. 92.7%), negative predictive value (NPV; 84.2% vs. 79%), and overall accuracy (91.7% vs. 88.3%). However, for diagnosing collateral ligament injures, POCUS versus MRI assessed sensitivity (92.3% vs. 88.5%), specificity (100% vs. 97.1%), PPV (100% vs. 95.8%), NPV (94.4% vs. 91.7%), and overall accuracy (96.7% vs. 93.3%). Conclusion Ultrasonography is a useful screening tool for the initial diagnosis of meniscal and collateral ligament pathology compared to or even with potential advantages over MRI, especially when MRI is unavailable or contraindicated. As newly advanced portable ultrasonography becomes available, it could be considered as a point-of-injury diagnostic modality.


CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S15
Author(s):  
P. Atkinson ◽  
M. Peach ◽  
S. Hunter ◽  
A. Kanji ◽  
L. Taylor ◽  
...  

Introduction: Point of care ultrasound has been reported to improve diagnosis in non-traumatic hypotensive ED patients. We compared diagnostic performance of physicians with and without PoCUS in undifferentiated hypotensive patients as part of an international prospective randomized controlled study. The primary outcome was diagnostic performance of PoCUS for cardiogenic vs. non-cardiogenic shock. Methods: SHoC-ED recruited hypotensive patients (SBP &lt; 100 mmHg or shock index &gt; 1) in 6 centres in Canada and South Africa. We describe previously unreported secondary outcomes relating to diagnostic accuracy. Patients were randomized to standard clinical assessment (No PoCUS) or PoCUS groups. PoCUS-trained physicians performed scans after initial assessment. Demographics, clinical details and findings were collected prospectively. Initial and secondary diagnoses including shock category were recorded at 0 and 60 minutes. Final diagnosis was determined by independent blinded chart review. Standard statistical tests were employed. Sample size was powered at 0.80 (α:0.05) for a moderate difference. Results: 273 patients were enrolled with follow-up for primary outcome completed for 270. Baseline demographics and perceived category of shock were similar between groups. 11% of patients were determined to have cardiogenic shock. PoCUS had a sensitivity of 80.0% (95% CI 54.8 to 93.0%), specificity 95.5% (90.0 to 98.1%), LR+ve 17.9 (7.34 to 43.8), LR-ve 0.21 (0.08 to 0.58), Diagnostic OR 85.6 (18.2 to 403.6) and accuracy 93.7% (88.0 to 97.2%) for cardiogenic shock. Standard assessment without PoCUS had a sensitivity of 91.7% (64.6 to 98.5%), specificity 93.8% (87.8 to 97.0%), LR+ve 14.8 (7.1 to 30.9), LR- of 0.09 (0.01 to 0.58), Diagnostic OR 166.6 (18.7 to 1481) and accuracy of 93.6% (87.8 to 97.2%). There was no significant difference in sensitivity (-11.7% (-37.8 to 18.3%)) or specificity (1.73% (-4.67 to 8.29%)). Diagnostic performance was also similar between other shock subcategories. Conclusion: As reported in other studies, PoCUS based assessment performed well diagnostically in undifferentiated hypotensive patients, especially as a rule-in test. However performance was similar to standard (non-PoCUS) assessment, which was excellent in this study.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Cortellaro ◽  
Laura Ferrari ◽  
Francesco Molteni ◽  
Paolo Aseni ◽  
Marta Velati ◽  
...  

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S92-S92
Author(s):  
L. Farnell ◽  
A.K. Hall ◽  
C. McKaigney

Introduction: Previous investigations of the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in distal radius fractures (DRF) report a wide range of sensitivities (71%-98%) and specificities (73%-100%) when performed by medical professionals, which may reflect inconsistencies in POCUS training or sonographer experience. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of POCUS performed by pre-clerkship medical students with minimal POCUS training compared to standard radiography in diagnosing DRF in adult patients with traumatic wrist injuries, in order to assess POCUS as an alternative to traditional radiographic imaging. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from June to September 2015. The study population consisted of adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) with distal forearm pain secondary to traumatic injury within the past seven days and for whom radiographic imaging was ordered. Patients were evaluated using POCUS performed by medical students with no prior experience who had received one hour of POCUS training taught by an emergency ultrasound fellowship-trained ED physician. A pre-test probability of fracture was stratified as low or high and documented independently by the treating physician. Students were blinded to pre-test probability and radiography results. Results: Of the 52 patients enrolled, 18 had DRF diagnosed by radiographic imaging. Compared to radiography, student-performed POCUS had 72% overall sensitivity (95% CI, 47%-90%) and 85% specificity (95% CI, 69%-95%), with 81% overall accuracy. In the high pre-test probability group (N = 20), POCUS had 80% sensitivity (95% CI, 52%-96%) and 60% specificity (95% CI, 15%-95%). In the low pre-test probability group (N = 32), POCUS had 33% sensitivity (95% CI, 1%-91%) and 90% specificity (95% CI, 73%-98%). Conclusion: POCUS performed by medical students demonstrated reasonable success in diagnosing DRF, with overall sensitivity and specificity in keeping with published data. Within the low pre-test probability group, the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS suggests that ultrasound was an unreliable alternative to radiographic imaging for DRF in this cohort. Future analysis of the factors leading to DRF missed by POCUS as being related to adequacy of POCUS training, image capture, or sonographer experience will further explore the utility of POCUS as a diagnostic alternative.


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Li ◽  
◽  
Cicero T. Silva ◽  
Adele R. Brudnicki ◽  
Kenneth E. Baker ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
X. Vandemergel

Ultrasound is increasingly used in daily clinical practice to improve the efficiency of the clinical examination. In this article, we reviewed its various possible uses in the field of diabetology. The ultrasonic evaluation of the carotid arteries (plaques and intima media thickness) allows improving the assessment of the cardiovascular risk. Steatosis can be detected relatively easily on liver ultrasound. Ultrasound also allows a more sensitive detection of lipohypertrophy resulting in glycemic fluctuations and thus increasing the risk of hypoglycemia than the clinical examination. Finally, muscle ultrasound appears to be a promising tool to assess the nutritional status and its consequences (e.g., falls).


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