scholarly journals Point of Care Ultrasound for the General Internist: Pleural Effusions

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrel William Cotton ◽  
Ryan Lenz ◽  
Brendan Kerr ◽  
Irene Ma
Keyword(s):  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Chest Radiography ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Physical Exam ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
General Internist ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Pleural Effusions ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

Pleural effusions are a common finding in many clinical settings and have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.   They may be identified by physical exam, chest radiography, chest computerized tomography (CT) scans or point of care ultrasonography (POCUS).  The use of POCUS for the diagnosis and management of pleural effusions offers several advantages relevant to the practice of the general internist.  For the diagnosis of pleural effusion, POCUS has superior sensitivity and specificity when compared to chest radiography and physical exam.  Abnormal sonographic features of the pleural fluid and the adjacent pleura may suggest the presence of an exudative or malignant effusion. POCUS can be used to quickly estimate the size of a pleural effusion.  Lastly, the use of ultrasound guidance when performing a thoracentesis reduces the risk of pneumothorax and hemorrhage.

scholarly journals The Master Clinician’s Elective: Integrating Evidence-Based Physical Examination and Point of Care Ultrasonography in Modern Clinical Medicine

POCUS Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Maria Gabriela Frank MD ◽  
Cason Pierce MD ◽  
Noelle Northcutt MD ◽  
Joseph Walker Keach MD ◽  
Gerard Salame MD ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Physical Exam ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

Background: Many internal medicine residency programs have incorporated ultrasonography into their curriculum; however, its integration with physical examination skills teaching at a graduate medical level is scarce. The program’s aim is to create a reproducible elective that combines physical exam and bedside ultrasound as a method for augmenting residents’ knowledge and competence in these techniques with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. Methods: We designed and implemented a two-week elective rotation for senior internal medicine residents, combining evidence-based physical examination with diagnostic bedside ultrasonography. The rotation took place in an inpatient setting at Denver Health Hospital. Program evaluation data was collected data between February 2016 to March 2019. IRB approval was waived. Results: Since its inception in 2016, 19 residents completed the rotation. Residents performed a pre-test and a post-test under direct observation by course faculty. Each resident was measured on the ability to perform pre-determined physical exam and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) skills. In the pre-test, participants correctly performed an average of 40% of expected physical exam maneuvers and 32% of expected POCUS skills. At elective conclusion, all participants were effectively able to demonstrate the highest yield physical exam and ultrasound maneuvers. Discussion and Conclusion: An elective designed specifically to integrate POCUS and physical exam modalities improves the ability of resident physicians to utilize both diagnostic modalities.

scholarly journals The role of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion: a single academic center retrospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew G. Hanson ◽  
Barry Chan
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Physical Exam ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Average Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Time To Diagnosis ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Symptomatic pericardial effusion (PCE) presents with non-specific features and are often missed on the initial physical exam, chest X-ray (CXR), and electrocardiogram (ECG). In extreme cases, misdiagnosis can evolve into decompensated cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening obstructive shock. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) on the diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of clinically significant PCE. Methods In a retrospective chart review, we looked at all patients between 2002 and 2018 at a major Canadian academic hospital who had a pericardiocentesis for clinically significant PCE. We extracted the rate of presenting complaints, physical exam findings, X-ray findings, ECG findings, time-to-diagnosis, and time-to-pericardiocentesis and how these were impacted by POCUS. Results The most common presenting symptom was dyspnea (64%) and the average systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 120 mmHg. 86% of people presenting had an effusion > 1 cm, and 89% were circumferential on departmental echocardiogram (ECHO) with 64% having evidence of right atrial systolic collapse and 58% with early diastolic right ventricular collapse. The average time-to-diagnosis with POCUS was 5.9 h compared to > 12 h with other imaging including departmental ECHO. Those who had the PCE identified by POCUS had an average time-to-pericardiocentesis of 28.1 h compared to > 48 h with other diagnostic modalities. Conclusion POCUS expedites the diagnosis of symptomatic PCE given its non-specific clinical findings which, in turn, may accelerate the time-to-intervention.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Intracranial Pressure Evaluation in an Emergency Room – Point-of-Care Ultrasonography

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (04) ◽  
pp. 279-283
Author(s):  
Daniel Damiani ◽  
Durval Damiani
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Nerve Sheath ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

AbstractPoint-of-care ultrasound is modifying conducts in emergency care. The various medical specialties, in addition to traditional indications in cases of multiple trauma, are using this technique for rapid diagnosis at the bedside without patient mobilization and without radiation. Point-of-care ultrasound in neurocritical patients, through its transorbital window, can estimate the intracranial pressure by a non-invasive method. Through the measurement of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath 3 mm posterior to the retina, the intracranial pressure is estimated if the value of the diameter is > 5 mm, as it has been verified in other studies. The present article describes the most current data on this topic, and it also highlights the need for more multicentric and randomized trials to determine the correct cut-off points that represent the high sensibility and specificity of the method.

scholarly journals A Case with Severe Endometriosis, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, and Isolated Unilateral Pleural Effusion after IVF

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Negjyp Sopa ◽  
Elisabeth Clare Larsen ◽  
Anders Nyboe Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Ovarian Hyperstimulation ◽  
Pleural Effusions ◽  
Luteal Support ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Fluid Production ◽  
The Right

We present a very rare case of right-sided isolated pleural effusion in a patient with severe endometriosis who, in relation to in vitro fertilization (IVF), developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Earlier laparotomy showed grade IV endometriosis including endometriotic implants of the diaphragm. The patient had no known risk factors for OHSS and only a moderate number of oocytes aspirated. She received, however, repeated hCG injections for luteal support. The patient did not achieve pregnancy but was hospitalized due to pain in the right side of the chest and dyspnoea. A chest computed tomography (CT) showed a pleural effusion on the right side. Total of 1000 ml of pleural fluid was drained after a single thoracentesis. After three days, the symptoms and fluid production ceased. Ascites is a common finding in OHSS, but pleural effusions are rare. Further, isolated pleural effusions have not previously been described in a patient with endometriosis. We suggest that the repeated hCG injections induced effusions from the endometriotic lesions at the diaphragm and as a consequence this patient developed isolated hydrothorax.

scholarly journals Lung Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Unexpected Hypoxemia during Anesthesia

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1727
Author(s):  
Jui-Ting Wang ◽  
I-Min Su ◽  
Hsiang-Ning Luk ◽  
Phil B. Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Chest Radiography ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
First Case ◽  
Portable Chest ◽  
Lung Point

This is a case report showing acute hypoxemia during anesthesia. Immediate differentiation using lung POCUS (point-of-care ultrasound), in addition to physical examination and portable chest radiography, was made. This is the first case report of sputum impaction due to pneumonia causing hypoxemia that has been detected by lung POCUS during anesthesia.

scholarly journals Uveal Melanoma Identified as Ocular Mass on Point-of-care Ultrasound

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-368
Author(s):  
Hannah Spungen ◽  
Daniel Weingrow
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Retinal Detachment ◽  
Uveal Melanoma ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Black Spot ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Posterior Chamber ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

Case Presentation: A 41-year-old man presented to the emergency department with five months of progressive monocular vision loss in his right eye, which he described as a gradually descending and enlarging black spot. He had no light perception in his right eye with elevated intraocular pressure and an afferent pupillary defect, while his left eye visual acuity and pupillary exam was normal. Point-of-care ultrasound demonstrated a hyperechoic, pedunculated mass in the posterior chamber of his right eye, consistent with a diagnosis of ocular melanoma. Ophthalmology scheduled the patient for an elective, right eye enucleation the following week, after which a diagnosis of uveal melanoma (UM) was confirmed on histopathology. Discussion: Uveal melanoma is an uncommon diagnosis that requires prompt intervention and surveillance due to the possibility of distant metastases arising in up to 50% of patients. Emergency department diagnosis of UM may be confounded by features of other intraocular pathology, such as increased ocular pressure or the finding of retinal detachment on fundoscopy. When emergency providers encounter glaucoma or retinal detachment on physical exam, point-of-care ultrasonography represents a key adjunct in the timely diagnosis and referral of this potentially vision- and life-threatening malignancy.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE INITIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COVID-19 PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM A PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRIC STUDY.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
yale tung chen ◽  
Rafael Llamas Fuentes ◽  
Pablo Rodriguez Fuertes
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Multicentric Study ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious illness caused by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is growing evidence regarding the imaging findings of COVID-19, in Chest X-ray and CT scan, however their availability in this pandemic outbreak might be compromised. At this moment, the role of Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) has yet to be explored. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study is to describe the POCUS findings of the disease in COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). Determining the correlation of these parameters with vital signs, laboratory results and chest X-ray, as well as, therapeutic decisions and prognosis. METHODS: Prospective study carried out in the emergency department (ED) of two academic hospitals. High suspicion or confirmed COVID-19 patients were subjected to the ultrasonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC), focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS), and Lung Ultrasonography (Lung POCUS). RESULTS: Between March and April 2020, ninety-six patients were enrolled. The mean age was 68.2 years (SD 17.5). The most common finding in Lung POCUS was an irregular pleural line (63.2%) followed by bilateral confluent (55.2%) and isolated B-lines (53.1%), which was associated with a positive RT-PCR (OR 4.729, 95% CI: 1.989-11.246; p<0.001), and correlated with IL-6 levels (rho = 0.622; p = 0.002). The IVC moderately correlated with levels of pO2, expiratory (rho = -0.539; p =0.014) and inspiratory (rho = -0.527; p =0.017), with troponin I (rho = 0.509; p=0.03). After POCUS exam, almost 20% of the patients had an associated condition that required a change in the treatment or management. CONCLUSION: In this pandemic era, as the shortage of resources constitutes an undeniable public health threat, POCUS presents the potential to impact in diagnosis, management and prognosis of our confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.

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