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Pediatr Pulmonol 2022 May 30. Epub 2022 May 30.

Department of Neurosciences Psychology Drug Research and Child Health, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Introduction: Lung ultrasound (LU) is a noninvasive, bedside imaging technique that is attracting growing interest in the evaluation of neonatal respiratory diseases. We conducted a nationwide survey of LU usage in Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed and sent online to 114 Italian NICUs from June to September 2021. Read More

Clin Exp Emerg Med 2022 Mar 31;9(1):63-66. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA.

Point of care ultrasound is an important tool for diagnosis of musculoskeletal and vascular pathology in patients presenting to the emergency department. Superficial vascular and soft tissue structures are well-visualized at the bedside using modern ultrasound systems and have image characteristics that can be rapidly identified. This report describes the use of point of care ultrasound to distinguish between rapidly progressive soft tissue infection and vascular injury following penetrating trauma from a cat scratch. Read More

Mil Med Res 2022 02 28;9(1):10. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Department of Radiation Oncology and Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 130021, Changchun, China.

Novel advances in the field of brain imaging have enabled the unprecedented clinical application of various imaging modalities to facilitate disease diagnosis and treatment. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a functional imaging technique that measures the transfer impedances between electrodes on the body surface to estimate the spatial distribution of electrical properties of tissues. EIT offers many advantages over other neuroimaging technologies, which has led to its potential clinical use. Read More

Acad Emerg Med 2022 Feb 20. Epub 2022 Feb 20.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Objectives: Computed tomography (CT) has long been the gold standard in diagnosing patients with suspected small bowel obstruction (SBO). Recently, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has demonstrated comparable test characteristics to CT imaging for the diagnosis of SBO. Our primary objective was to estimate the annual national cost saving impact of a POCUS-first approach for the evaluation of SBO. Read More

Emerg Radiol 2022 Apr 6;29(2):227-234. Epub 2022 Jan 6.

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13123 E 16th Ave, B-323, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.

Purpose: The use of lung ultrasound for diagnosis of COVID-19 has emerged during the pandemic as a beneficial diagnostic modality due to its rapid availability, bedside use, and lack of radiation. This study aimed to determine if routine ultrasound (US) imaging of the lungs of trauma patients with COVID-19 infections who undergo extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (EFAST) correlates with computed tomography (CT) imaging and X-ray findings, as previously reported in other populations.

Methods: This was a prospective, observational feasibility study performed at two level 1 trauma centers. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022 01;92(1):44-48

From the Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California.

Background: Ultrasonography for trauma is a widely used tool in the initial evaluation of trauma patients with complete ultrasonography of trauma (CUST) demonstrating equivalence to computed tomography (CT) for detecting clinically significant abdominal hemorrhage. Initial reports demonstrated high sensitivity of CUST for the bedside diagnosis of pneumothorax. We hypothesized that the sensitivity of CUST would be greater than initial supine chest radiograph (CXR) for detecting pneumothorax. Read More

Neurocrit Care 2022 06 16;36(3):993-1001. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: This study is a substudy of a prospective consecutive double-blinded randomized study on the effect of prostacyclin in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). The aims of the present study were to investigate whether there was a correlation between brain and subcutaneous glycerol levels and whether the ratio of interstitial glycerol in the brain and subcutaneous tissue (glycerol) was associated with tissue damage in the brain, measured by using the Rotterdam score, S-100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), the Injury Severity Score (ISS), the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score (APACHE II), and trauma type. A potential association with clinical outcome was explored. Read More

Australas J Ultrasound Med 2021 Nov 2;24(4):208-216. Epub 2021 Jul 2.

Department of Emergency Medicine Florida State University Sarasota USA.

Introduction: The evaluation of cervical-spine in a major trauma patient needs a bedside efficient tool to rule out cervical spine injury as the role of X-ray and Computed Tomography (CT) in this setting is limited. Point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is being used as an adjunct during trauma resuscitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of POCUS for identifying cervical spine injuries. Read More

Crit Care Med 2022 05 27;50(5):750-759. Epub 2021 Sep 27.

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of extended lung ultrasonographic assessment, including evaluation of dynamic air bronchograms and color Doppler imaging to differentiate pneumonia and atelectasis in patients with consolidation on chest radiograph. Compare this approach to the Simplified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, Lung Ultrasound Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, and the Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency protocol.

Design: Prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022 01;92(1):103-107

From the Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin (M.dM.), Milwaukee, WI; Oregon Heatlh Science University (K.J.B.), Portland, OR; Department of Surgery, Dell Medical School (C.V.R.B.), University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX; Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Indianapolis, IN; Department of Surgery, University of Southern California (K.I.), Los Angeles, CA; Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (E.J.L.), Los Angeles, CA; Department of Surgery, Ernest E Moore Shock Trauma center (E.E.M.), Denver, CO; Department of Surgery, Scripps Mercy Hospital (K.A.P., M.J.M.), San Diego, CA; Department of Surgery, Inova Trauma Center (A.G.R.), Falls Church, VA; Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital (N.G.R.), Cincinnati, OH; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh (J.S.), Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Surgery, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center (J.A.W.), Phoenix, AZ.

Abstract: This is a recommended algorithm of the Western Trauma Association for the management of a traumatic pneumothorax. The current algorithm and recommendations are based on available published prospective cohort, observational, and retrospective studies and the expert opinion of the Western Trauma Association members. The algorithm and accompanying text represents a safe and reasonable approach to this common problem. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2021 11;91(5):814-819

From the Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, LAC+USC Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Background: Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) has supplanted diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) as the preferred bedside evaluation for traumatic hemoperitoneum. Diagnostic peritoneal aspiration (DPA) is a simpler, faster modification of DPL with an unclear role in contemporary practice. This study delineated modern roles for DPA and defined its diagnostic yield. Read More

J Emerg Trauma Shock 2020 Jul-Sep;13(3):190-195. Epub 2020 Sep 18.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the use of bedside sonographic measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in the assessment of elevated intracranial pressure in patients with head injury coming to the emergency department (ED).

Methods: A prospective study of ED patients presenting with a history of acute head injury, an ocular ultrasound was performed for ONSD measurement, followed by a computed tomography (CT) of the brain. Three measurements were taken for each eye, then, the mean binocular ONSD measurement for each patient was obtained to ensure accuracy. Read More

J Trop Pediatr 2021 07;67(3)

Qena Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.

Background: Scorpion envenomation is a major public health problem in children that can induce lethal neurological, respiratory and cardiovascular complications. We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular complications with a follow-up of envenomed children for 1 month for possibility of incomplete recovery.

Methods: This was a prospective study conducted for children who presented with scorpion sting to Emergency and Intensive Care units. Read More

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2020 Sep 2;90(3). Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Emergency Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia.

Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is regarded to be potentially useful to diagnose lung injury in older adults living in nursing homes with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia. We aimed at evaluating presence lung injury among senior nursing home residents by LUS performed with portable wireless scanner echography. The study population consisted of 150 residents with a mean age of 88 years (85% female) residing in 12 nursing homes in Northern Italy. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2020 Aug 21;21:e924306. Epub 2020 Aug 21.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.

BACKGROUND There are few reports of crotaline envenomation in Qatar, where clinically significant snakebite is infrequently encountered. This report presents a case that resulted in significant hematotoxicity. The report introduces the concept that there may be a role for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as an Emergency Department (ED) bedside imaging tool in the early evaluation of crotaline snakebites. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2020 11 20;46(11):2908-2917. Epub 2020 Jul 20.

Respiratory Department, Hospital Guglielmo da Saliceto, Piacenza, Italy.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) is characterized by severe pneumonia and/or acute respiratory distress syndrome in about 20% of infected patients. Computed tomography (CT) is the routine imaging technique for diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19 pneumonia. Chest CT has high sensitivity for diagnosis of COVID-19, but is not universally available, requires an infected or unstable patient to be moved to the radiology unit with potential exposure of several people, necessitates proper sanification of the CT room after use and is underutilized in children and pregnant women because of concerns over radiation exposure. Read More

J Surg Res 2020 12 13;256:520-527. Epub 2020 Aug 13.

Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

Background: Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income countries. Improved health care systems and training are potential avenues to combat this burden. We detail a collaborative and context-specific operative trauma course taught to postgraduate surgical trainees practicing in a low-resource setting and examine its effect on resident practice. Read More

Chin J Traumatol 2020 Oct 7;23(5):280-283. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

College of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Medicine of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy and efficiency of bedside ultrasonography application performed by certified sonographer in emergency patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Methods: The study was carried out from 2017 to 2019. Findings in operations or on computed tomography (CT) were used as references to evaluate the accuracy of bedside abdominal ultrasonography. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 07 23;7:CD013031. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: Chest X-ray (CXR) is a longstanding method for the diagnosis of pneumothorax but chest ultrasonography (CUS) may be a safer, more rapid, and more accurate modality in trauma patients at the bedside that does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation. This may lead to improved and expedited management of traumatic pneumothorax and improved patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of chest ultrasonography (CUS) by frontline non-radiologist physicians versus chest X-ray (CXR) for diagnosis of pneumothorax in trauma patients in the emergency department (ED). Read More

Lasers Med Sci 2021 Feb 18;36(1):67-73. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Department of Urology, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, 161 Xingfu Road, Lianyungang, 222023, Jiangsu, China.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 980-nm diode laser coagulation in women with radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (RHC). We conducted a retrospective study of 21 RHC patients treated with a 980-nm diode laser between July 2014 and December 2017 at our institution. Data was collected with regard to age, sex, lower urinary tract symptoms, use of transfusions, a drop in hemoglobin levels, indication of radiotherapy, median time between radiation therapy and presentation, previous treatments, operative time, mean energy used, number of coagulated areas, catheterization time, discharge time after treatment, hospital stay, and surgical outcome. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2020 07;89(1):96-102

From the Stony Brook University Hospital (D.N.O., S.R.), School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine (S.A.), Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York; Department of Biostatistics (E.T.), Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York; and Division of Trauma, Department of Medicine (E.H., J.A.V., R.S.J.), Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York.

Background: Rib fractures following blunt trauma are a major cause of morbidity. Various factors have been used for risk stratification for complications. Ultrasound (US) measurements of diaphragm thickness (Tdi) and related measures such as thickening fraction (TF) have been verified for use in the evaluation of diaphragm function. Read More

J Emerg Med 2020 May 31;58(5):781-784. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.

Background: Pseudoaneurysms of the foot are rare and can occur from a range of etiologies, including laceration from a foreign body. The majority of reported cases have been diagnosed by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or angiography. These tests require intravenous access and contrast, confer radiation, take time to perform and interpret, are expensive, and are not always readily available in the acute setting. Read More

Heart 2020 05 11;106(9):639-646. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States

This review article is focused on the role of echocardiography, cardiac CT and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in diagnosing and managing patients with post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS). Clinically, the spectrum of pericardial diseases under PCIS varies not only in form and severity of presentation but also in the timing varying from weeks to months, thus making it difficult to diagnose. Pericarditis developing after recent or remote myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery or ablation if left untreated or under-treated could worsen into complicated pericarditis which can lead to decreased quality of life and increased morbidity. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2020 Jun;36(6):e340-e342

From the Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate live-stream videos for evaluation of pediatric emergency medicine ultrasound using a third generation (3G) network.

Methods: The interrater reliability of a remote 3G network live-streaming assessment of ultrasound scans for abdominal free fluid, intussusception, and hip effusions was evaluated. Fifty-eight deidentified 6-second video clips in . Read More

J Wound Care 2019 Dec;28(Sup12):S9-S16

Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Objective: To evaluate the use of an infrared thermography device in assessing skin temperature among category I pressure ulcer (PU) and/or suspected deep tissue injuries (SDTI) with intact skin.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study design was used. Adult inpatients (cases) who had a category I PU or suspected deep tissue injury (skin intact) on the sacral or heel during the study period (March to April 2018) were recruited. Read More

Ann Intern Med 2019 12 19;171(12):896-905. Epub 2019 Nov 19.

McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (N.S., K.Y., Q.Z., T.R., S.F., E.P., A.H., L.B., S.A.A.).

Background: Optic nerve ultrasonography (optic nerve sheath diameter sonography) has been proposed as a noninvasive, quick method for diagnosing increased intracranial pressure.

Purpose: To examine the accuracy of optic nerve ultrasonography for diagnosing increased intracranial pressure in children and adults.

Data Sources: 13 databases from inception through May 2019, reference lists, and meeting proceedings. Read More

Adv Emerg Nurs J 2019 Oct/Dec;41(4):290-305

University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, Florida. (Drs González, Ortega, Crenshaw, de Tantillo); and Jacksonville University, Keigwin School of Nursing, Jacksonville, Florida (Dr de Tantillo).

Use of bedside ultrasonography to identify life-threatening injuries for patients with blunt and penetrating trauma is the standard of care in the emergency department. The "FAST" examination-focused assessment with sonography for trauma-ultrasound scan of the chest and abdomen allows clinicians to assess critical regions for free fluid without use of invasive procedures as quickly and as often as needed. In addition, ultrasonography has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and is safe during pregnancy. Read More

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019 Aug 23:1-11. Epub 2019 Aug 23.

1Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge.

Objective: In the search for a reliable, cooperation-independent, noninvasive alternative to invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in children, various approaches have been proposed, but at the present time none are capable of providing fully automated, real-time, calibration-free, continuous and accurate ICP estimates. The authors investigated the feasibility and validity of simultaneously monitored arterial blood pressure (ABP) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) waveforms to derive noninvasive ICP (nICP) estimates.

Methods: Invasive ICP and ABP recordings were collected from 12 pediatric and young adult patients (aged 2-25 years) undergoing such monitoring as part of routine clinical care. Read More

J Nippon Med Sch 2019 Sep 26;86(4):230-235. Epub 2019 Apr 26.

Department of Nephrology, Nippon Medical School.

Background: Patients undergoing dialysis have a high incidence of fracture, and early diagnosis is important. We report seven cases of closed rib or upper-limb fractures diagnosed by bedside ultrasonography during maintenance hemodialysis sessions and describe relevant clinical characteristics.

Case Presentation: We identified seven patients who were injured by falls in their homes. Read More