scholarly journals The Double Gut Point: A Novel Sonographic Sign of Pneumoperitoneum

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yale Tung Chen ◽  
Tomas Villén Villegas ◽  
Elmo Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Urgent Surgery ◽  
Free Air ◽  
Linear Probe ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Upper Abdominal

Abstract Pneumoperitoneum is a life-threatening condition, caused by hollow organ perforation. The diagnosis is often difficult, and Point-of-care ultrasound can be useful to distinguish from different conditions, and early set the indication of urgent surgery. We report a critically ill patient presented to the Emergency Department with sudden increase in upper abdominal pain and distension with a diagnosis of small bowel obstruction on ultrasound using a curvilinear probe. After repeating the ultrasound using a linear probe, two dynamic points at mesogastrium very similar to the “double lung point” seen in thoracic ultrasound was detected. This “double gut point” due to bowel ischemia and perforation was confirmed on a computed tomography scan. In this case, the finding of an abdominal “double gut point” allowed us to diagnose pneumoperitoneum, being a novel sign not previously described, that could aid to diagnose small amounts of free air in the peritoneal cavity.

scholarly journals A Case Report of Acute Heart Failure Due to Infective Aortic Endocarditis Diagnosed by Point-of-care Ultrasound

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-196
Author(s):  
Ryan Gallagher ◽  
Michelle Wilson ◽  
Pamela Hite ◽  
Bradley Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Acute Heart Failure ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Valve Insufficiency ◽  
Life Threatening

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition with significant morbidity and mortality, and can require surgical repair. Case Report: A 36-year-old man presented to the emergency department for worsening dyspnea and chest pain. Point-of-care echocardiography demonstrated a mobile oscillating mass on the aortic valve with poor approximation of the valve leaflets, suggesting aortic valve insufficiency secondary to IE as the cause of acute heart failure. The patient underwent emergent aortic valve replacement within 24 hours. Discussion: While point-of-care echocardiography has been well documented in identifying tricuspid vegetations, aortic valve involvement and subsequent heart failure is less well described. Earlier recognition of aortic valve vegetations and insufficiency can expedite surgical intervention, with decreased complication rates linked to earlier antimicrobial therapy. Conclusion: This case report highlights the ability of point-of-care ultrasound to identify aortic vegetations, allowing for the earlier diagnosis and therapy.

Telemedicine-guided point-of-care ultrasound can be feasible and effective in a life-threatening situation: The case of a field hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarso Accorsi ◽  
Karine De Amicis Lima ◽  
Alexandra Brigido ◽  
Deborah Belfort ◽  
Fabio Habrum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Image Interpretation ◽  
Acquisition Time ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
Portable Ultrasound ◽  
Local Staff ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Threatening Situation

BACKGROUND Lightweight portable ultrasound is widely available, especially in inaccessible geographical areas. It demonstrates effectiveness and diagnosis improvement even in field conditions but no precise information about protocols, acquisition time, image interpretation, and the relevance in changing medical conduct exists. The COVID-19 pandemic implied many severe cases and the rapid construction of field hospitals with massive general practitioner (GP) recruitment. OBJECTIVE This prospective and descriptive study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of telemedicine guidance using a standardized multi-organ sonographic assessment protocol in untrained GPs during a COVID-19 emergency in a field hospital. METHODS Eleven COVID-19 in-patients presenting life-threatening complications, attended by local staff who spontaneously requested on-time teleconsultation, were enrolled. All untrained doctors successfully positioned the transducer and obtained key images guided by a remote doctor via telemedicine, with remote interpretation of the findings. RESULTS Only four (36%) general practitioners obtained the appropriate key heart image on the left parasternal long axis window, and three (27%) had an image interpreted remotely on-time. The evaluation time ranged from seven to 42 minutes, with a mean of 22.7 + 12. CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine is effective in guiding GPs to perform portable ultrasound in life-threatening situations, showing effectiveness in conducting decisions.

scholarly journals Acute Gastric Volvulus and Atrial Fibrillation with RVR: A Coincidence or Association

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Omar Nadhem ◽  
Omar Salh ◽  
Faisal Khasawneh
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Diaphragmatic Hernia ◽  
Gastric Volvulus ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Acute Gastric Volvulus ◽  
Ventricular Response ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Upper Abdominal

Gastric volvulus is a rare and life-threatening condition that involves the abnormal rotation of the stomach around its axis by more than 180°. The association between acute gastric volvulus and atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response is rare with only few cases that have been reported. Our patient was an 86-year-old female who presented with upper abdominal pain, distension, nausea, and shortness of breath. Clinical and laboratory workup revealed acute gastric volvulus with diaphragmatic hernia. On presentation, she was also in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. She was successfully treated by laparotomy with reduction of the gastric volvulus and repair of the diaphragmatic hernia, with significant improvement.

scholarly journals Ultrasound Detection of the Aquarium Sign at the Bedside

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihiro Kaga ◽  
Emi Yamashita ◽  
Takeshi Ueda
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Mesenteric Ischaemia ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Hepatic Portal ◽  
The Right ◽  
Enhanced Computed Tomography ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: The aquarium sign is the name given to a large quantity of bubble-like echoes that suggests the presence of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG). Few studies in the literature have addressed the relationship between the aquarium sign and HPVG. In some cases, HPVG can only be detected using ultrasonography. HPVG can be observed in a variety of conditions, including those that require emergency surgery, such as acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI). Therefore, it is important to identify the presence of HPVG as soon as possible.  Materials and methods: We report a case of the aquarium sign, where bubble-like echoes flowed from the right atrium towards the right ventricle, which was identified using bedside cardiac ultrasonography as part of a point-of-care ultrasound test. Results: This aquarium sign finding led to the diagnosis of AMI, which was confirmed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).  Conclusion: The aquarium sign is a useful finding suggestive of HPVG and mesenteric ischaemia, which can be rapidly and easily observed using bedside cardiac ultrasonography. However, there are very few reports on the aquarium sign. The inability of other more cumbersome diagnostic imaging modalities, such as CT and magnetic resonance imaging, to detect HPVG emphasizes the utility and convenience of detecting the aquarium sign using bedside ultrasonography. This technique can lead to early detection of life-threatening diseases as well as improve the prognosis for patients. The diagnostic implications of the aquarium sign for HPVG are still unclear and require further research.

scholarly journals Point of care ultrasound in disaster triage

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-39
Author(s):  
Brandon Chau ◽  
Gayathri Sivakumar
Keyword(s):  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Intraperitoneal Bleeding ◽  
Ultrasound Technology ◽  
Fast Exam ◽  
Disaster Scenario ◽  
The Military

Ultrasound technology has rapidly progressed over the past decades to emerge as a portable, versatile imaging modality to complement the physical exam. It has been shown to be superior to clinical exam and equivalent to computed-tomography in detecting many life-threatening conditions, and thus is used in a variety of resuscitative settings, including the front lines of the military. A variety of imaging protocols exist for ultrasound, but in resource-deplete settings such as a disaster scenario, the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) exam is a rapid and accurate method of determining acute intraperitoneal bleeding. With improving portability, as well as the ability to transmit images to a centralized command hub, it can become a key component of the first responder’s toolkit.

My Patient Has No Blood Pressure: Have They Got an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm? Point-Of-Care Ultrasound of the Abdominal Aorta in Hypotensive Patients

Ultrasound ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 236-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audra Gedmintas ◽  
Matthew Grabove ◽  
Paul Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Abdominal Mass ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Mass Detection ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Threatening Situation

Among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with undifferentiated hypotension, how can point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) help identify abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) as the cause of the hypotension? Many hypotensive patients in the ED are critically ill, with only minutes available to find the cause of the hypotension and treat it before the patient decompensates. While the classic description of the presentation of a ruptured AAA is of collapse with sudden onset abdominal pain and a palpable, pulsatile abdominal mass, detection of AAA by palpation is notoriously unreliable, and many patients are unaware of their underlying condition. This life-threatening situation is made even more difficult by virtue of the fact that the patient is often too unstable to travel for traditional diagnostics such as computed tomography. This article will address the use of PoCUS for the detection of AAA in the evaluation of the hypotensive patient.

scholarly journals Wireless point-of-care ultrasound: First experiences with a new generation handheld device

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
E.M. Jung ◽  
J. Dinkel ◽  
N. Verloh ◽  
M. Brandenstein ◽  
C. Stroszczynski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Diagnostic Reliability ◽  
Handheld Device ◽  
Ultrasound Device ◽  
Linear Probe ◽  
New Generation

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic reliability of a new generation wireless point-of care ultrasound device for abdominal and thoracic findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 40 patients (16 females, 24 males 19 –80 years, on average 56.1 years) were scanned by an experienced examiner using the new wireless Vscan Air device for abdominal and thoracic findings. The probe frequencies were 2–5 MHz (convex probe) and 3–12 MHz for the linear probe. As a reference standard, all patients were also examined using high-end ultrasound (LOGIQ E9/10). Results were interpreted independently by two examiners in consensus, also with regard to the image quality (0–4, from not assessable = 0, to excellent 4). RESULTS: In all 40 patients (100%) examination with conventional high-end ultrasound and the Vscan Air ultrasound device was feasible. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of abdominal and thoracic findings were 63.3%, 100%, 100%, and 40%, respectively. Most main diagnostic findings were detected using the mobile device compared to the high-end ultrasound. Limitations were found regarding characterization and classification of hepatic and renal tumorous lesions. Image quality revealed mostly minor diagnostic limitations for the mobile device, mean 2.9 (SD –0.300) and was excellent or with only minor diagnostic limitations for conventional high-end ultrasound, mean 3.25 (SD –0.438). CONCLUSION: Due to its easy application and its high diagnostic reliability, point-of-care ultrasound systems of the latest generation represent a valuable imaging method for the primary assessment of abdominal and thoracic findings, especially in patients on intensive care units or in emergency situations.

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