A prospective study of ultrasonography in the ED by emergency physicians

Past and Present of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS): A Narrative Review

This article aims to conduct a literature review to gain insight into point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS). PoCUS is a rapid, accurate, non-invasive, and radiation-free imaging modality that can be used in stable and unstable patients. PoCUS can be performed parallel to physical examination, resuscitation, and stabilization; repeated exams in critical patients are essential for improving sensitivity. The review highlights how PoCUS, which was initially used to detect free intraperitoneal fluid in trauma patients, has developed into a life-saving diagnostic tool that could be utilized by treating physicians during various stages of diagnosis, resuscitation, operation, and postoperative critical care when managing sick patients. The review also notes the barriers to the widespread uptake of PoCUS in general internal medicine and the recent commercial availability of "pocket" or handheld probes that have made PoCUS more readily available. This review concludes that adopting a focused binary decision-making approach can maximize PoCUS's value in many clinical settings, including emergency departments, intensive care units, and operation theatres. Overall, the review emphasizes the importance of awareness of common indications, limitations, and strengths of this evolving and promising technology to determine its future trajectory: Providing comprehensive PoCUS training within internal medicine curriculums and supporting trainers to do so.

Impact of Insurance Benefits and Education on Point-of-Care Ultrasound Use in a Single Emergency Department: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Background and Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful tool that helps clinicians properly treat patients in emergency department (ED). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of specific interventions on the use of POCUS in the ED. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study used an interrupted time series analysis to assess how interventions changed the use of POCUS in the emergency department of a tertiary medical institute in South Korea from October 2016 to February 2021. We chose two main interventions—expansion of benefit coverage of the National Health Insurance (NHI) for emergency ultrasound (EUS) and annual ultrasound educational workshops. The primary variable was the EUS rate, defined as the number of EUS scans per 1000 eligible patients per month. We compared the level and slope of EUS rates before and after interventions. Results: A total of 5188 scanned records were included. Before interventions, the EUS rate had increased gradually. After interventions, except for the first workshop, the EUS rate immediately increased significantly (p < 0.05). The difference in the EUS rate according to the expansion of the NHI was estimated to be the largest (p < 0.001). However, the change in slope significantly decreased after the third workshop during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (p = 0.004). The EUS rate increased significantly in the presence of physicians participating in intensive POCUS training (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that expansion of insurance coverage for EUS and ultrasound education led to a significant and immediate increase in the use of POCUS, suggesting that POCUS use can be increased by improving education and insurance benefits.

The Use of Point-of-care Ultrasound in Emergency Medical Centers in Korea: a National Cross-sectional Survey

BACKGROUND

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an essential tool in emergency medicine (EM). We aimed to investigate the current status and perception of POCUS use in emergency medical centers in Korea.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, nationwide survey was conducted using a mobile survey of physicians at emergency medical centers in Korea. The first message was sent on November 27, 2020, and the second message was sent on December 3, 2020 to the non-responders. The questionnaire comprised 6 categories and 24 questionnaires on demographics, current practice, education, perception, and barriers to the use of POCUS.

RESULTS

A total of 467 physicians participated in the survey (a response rate of 32% among 1,458 target physicians), of which 43% were residents and 57% were EM specialists. Most of the respondents (96%) answered that they use POCUS, of which 89% reported using it at least once a week. The most frequently used types of POCUS were focused assessment with sonography for trauma (68%) and echocardiography (66%). Musculoskeletal, male genital, and pediatric scans were rarely performed tests but ranked as of the scans physicians most wanted to learn. About 73% of the respondents received ultrasound education, and 41% received ultrasound education at their own institutions. Nevertheless, education-related barriers are still the biggest deterrent to POCUS use (60%). In addition, multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that the greater the number of ultrasound devices and the total number of physicians in the emergency center, the more likely they were to use POCUS every day.

CONCLUSION

This study found that most physicians currently working in emergency medical centers in Korea more frequently perform various types of ultrasound scans compared to those 10 years prior. To further promote the use of POCUS, it is important to have an appropriate number of ultrasound devices and physicians in the emergency center along with systematic POCUS education.

Impact of Emergency Medicine Point-of-Care Ultrasound on Radiology Ultrasound Volumes in a Single Pediatric Emergency Department

PURPOSE

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is growing, but few data exist regarding its effects on radiology ultrasound (Rad US) volumes. The authors studied changes in Rad US ordered by emergency medicine (EM) as POCUS began and grew at their pediatric hospital.

METHODS

This retrospective study included EM POCUS and EM-ordered Rad US volumes between 2011 and 2017, during three 2-year intervals: before POCUS, early POCUS, and expanded POCUS. Changes in overall Rad US and POCUS volumes per visit during these intervals were studied. Changes in skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) US per SSTI visit, an examination performed diagnostically by both radiology and EM, were also assessed. Volume differences were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test (significance threshold, P < .05), and process control charts were used to identify nonrandom variations.

RESULTS

The study included 49,908 Rad US and 2,772 POCUS examinations during 647,890 emergency department visits. Rad US volumes per visit remained unchanged during early POCUS (P = .858) but increased with expanded POCUS (P < .005). A transient nonrandom increase in Rad US occurred as POCUS began. SSTI Rad US per SSTI visit significantly increased (P < .001) during early POCUS but did not change with expanded POCUS (P = .143). An SSTI management pathway in the emergency department before expanded POCUS may have affected ordering. Other variation occurred in proximity to practice changes and seasonal patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Rad US overall and specifically for SSTI increased or remained stable during the introduction and growth of EM POCUS. Rather than decreasing Rad US, EM POCUS had a complementary role.

Point-of-care ultrasound in primary care: a systematic review of generalist performed point-of-care ultrasound in unselected populations

BACKGROUND

Both the interest and actual extent of use of point-of-care ultrasound, PoCUS, among general practitioners or family physicians are increasing and training is also increasingly implemented in residency programs. However, the amount of research within the field is still rather limited compared to what is seen within other specialties in which it has become more established, such as in the specialty of emergency medicine. An assumption is made that what is relevant for emergency medicine physicians and their populations is also relevant to the general practitioner, as both groups are generalists working in unselected populations. This systematic review aims to examine the extent of use and to identify clinical studies on the use of PoCUS by either general practitioners or emergency physicians on indications that are relevant for the former, both in their daily practice and in out-of-hours services.

METHODS

Systematic searches were done in PubMed/MEDLINE using terms related to general practice, emergency medicine, and ultrasound.

RESULTS

On the extent of use, we identified 19 articles, as well as 26 meta-analyses and 168 primary studies on the clinical use of PoCUS. We found variable, but generally low, use among general practitioners, while it seems to be thoroughly established in emergency medicine in North America, and increasingly also in the rest of the world. In terms of clinical studies, most were on diagnostic accuracy, and most organ systems were studied; the heart, lungs/thorax, vessels, abdominal and pelvic organs, obstetric ultrasound, the eye, soft tissue, and the musculoskeletal system. The studies found in general either high sensitivity or high specificity for the particular test studied, and in some cases high total accuracy and superiority to other established diagnostic imaging modalities. PoCUS also showed faster time to diagnosis and change in management in some studies.

CONCLUSION

Our review shows that generalists can, given a certain level of pre-test probability, safely use PoCUS in a wide range of clinical settings to aid diagnosis and better the care of their patients.

Effect of Emergency Physician-Performed Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Radiology Department-Performed Ultrasound Examinations on the Emergency Department Length of Stay Among Pregnant Women at Less Than 20 Weeks' Gestation

OBJECTIVES

We sought to confirm retrospective studies that measured an approximately 20% reduction in emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) in early-gestation pregnant women who receive emergency physician-performed point-of-care ultrasound (US) examinations rather than radiology department-performed US examinations for evaluation of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP).

METHODS

A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed at an urban academic safety net hospital and 2 Naval medical centers in the United States. The allocation was concealed before enrollment. Clinically stable adult pregnant women at less than 20 weeks' gestation who presented to the ED with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding were randomized to receive a point-of-care or radiology US to assess for IUP. The primary outcome measure was the ED LOS.

RESULTS

A total of 224 patients (point-of-care US, n = 118; radiology US, n = 106) were included for the analysis. The ED LOS was 20 minutes shorter in the point-of-care US arm (95% confidence interval [CI], -54 to 7 minutes). Adjusting for variability due to the location, the ED LOS was calculated to be 31 minutes shorter (95% CI, -64 to 1 minute) than for patients in the radiology US arm. Excluding patients in the point-of-care US arm who crossed over to radiology US after an inconclusive point-of-care US examination, the ED LOS was 75 minutes shorter than in the radiology US arm (95% CI, -97 to -53 minutes).

CONCLUSIONS

Early-gestation pregnant ED patients requiring pelvic US were discharged earlier when point-of-care US was used rather than radiology US; however, this trial did not achieve our target of 30 minutes. Nevertheless, our data support the routine use of ED point-of-care US for IUP, saving the most time if a conclusive IUP is identified.

History, Physical Examination, Laboratory Testing, and Emergency Department Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a common differential for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain. The diagnostic accuracy of history, physical examination, and bedside laboratory tests for AC have not been quantitatively described.

OBJECTIVES

We performed a systematic review to determine the utility of history and physical examination (H&P), laboratory studies, and ultrasonography (US) in diagnosing AC in the ED.

METHODS

We searched medical literature from January 1965 to March 2016 in PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS using a strategy derived from the following formulation of our clinical question: patients-ED patients suspected of AC; interventions-H&P, laboratory studies, and US findings commonly used to diagnose AC; comparator-surgical pathology or definitive diagnostic radiologic study confirming AC; and outcome-the operating characteristics of the investigations in diagnosing AC were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated using Meta-DiSc with a random-effects model (95% CI). Study quality and risks for bias were assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies.

RESULTS

Separate PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS searches retrieved studies for H&P (n = 734), laboratory findings (n = 74), and US (n = 492). Three H&P studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria with AC prevalence of 7%-64%. Fever had sensitivity ranging from 31% to 62% and specificity from 37% to 74%; positive LR [LR+] was 0.71-1.24, and negative LR [LR-] was 0.76-1.49. Jaundice sensitivity ranged from 11% to 14%, and specificity from 86% to 99%; LR+ was 0.80-13.81, and LR- was 0.87-1.03. Murphy's sign sensitivity was 62% (range = 53%-71%), and specificity was 96% (range = 95%-97%); LR+ was 15.64 (range = 11.48-21.31), and LR- was 0.40 (range = 0.32-0.50). Right upper quadrant pain had sensitivity ranging from 56% to 93% and specificity of 0% to 96%; LR+ ranged from 0.92 to 14.02, and LR- from 0.46 to 7.86. One laboratory study met criteria with a 26% prevalence of AC. Elevated bilirubin had a sensitivity of 40% (range = 12%-74%) and specificity of 93% (range = 77%-99%); LR+ was 5.80 (range = 1.25-26.99), and LR- was 0.64 (range = 0.39-1.08). Five US studies with a prevalence of AC of between 10% and 46%. US sensitivity was 86% (range = 78%-94%) and specificity was 71% (range = 66%-76%); LR+ was 3.23 (range = 1.74-6.00), and LR- was 0.18 (range = 0.10-0.33).

CONCLUSION

Variable disease prevalence, coupled with limited sample sizes, increases the risk of selection bias. Individually, none of these investigations reliably rule out AC. Development of a clinical decision rule to include evaluation of H&P, laboratory data, and US are more likely to achieve a correct diagnosis of AC.

Emergency point-of-care ultrasound in Canadian pediatric emergency fellowship programs: current integration and future directions

BACKGROUND

Adult and pediatric emergency physicians have been using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for many years. It is a fast, usually painless, noninvasive diagnostic tool that does not expose the patient to radiation. Information about its current implementation in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship programs in Canada is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The main goal of our study was to investigate current integration and future direction of POCUS training in Canadian PEM programs.

METHODS

The study consisted of two surveys designed for fellows and program directors of all Canadian PEM fellowship programs. The major aspects of the survey were 1) to describe current training in POCUS in fellowship programs, 2) to compare the kind of training that programs offer with what fellows actually receive, and 3) a needs assessment by fellows and program directors for future POCUS training programs. Surveys were sent to program directors and passed on to their fellows.

RESULTS

Ninety percent of fellowship program directors as well as 70% (42/60) of fellows responded to the survey. A formal POCUS curriculum exists in five of the nine PEM programs included in this study. Three programs offer specific pediatric POCUS training. The main application is the FAST (focused assessment with sonography for trauma) exam.

CONCLUSION

There is a wide variation in POCUS content and delivery across PEM fellowship programs, as well as differences in perceptions of current training and of needs by fellows and program directors. However, given that both groups feel POCUS is very important and essential for PEM training, the opportunity exists to develop a standardized curriculum across Canada.

Experience of a tutor centric model for sonography training of emergency department registrars in an Australian urban emergency department 2009-2012

Purpose: To assess the impact of a regular sonographer proctored training program for emergency medicine trainees in the use of Emergency Department bedside ultrasound Methods: Emergency Department (ED) Registrars in the Swan District Hospital ED were provided with proctored instruction in bedside ultrasound in performance of extended focused assessment sonography in trauma (eFAST) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) detection. Training was conducted by credentialed sonographers for individual trainees in a 1:1 or 1:2 setting for 1 hour on a weekly basis. Registrars who trained in the Department between Jan 2009 to Dec 2012 were invited to participate in a survey conducted between June-August 2013 designed to assess the impact of training on their confidence and use of bedside sonography. Results: Registrars reported increased perception of their skill level in AAA and eFAST post-training. High levels of confidence in their ability to adjust machine settings for image optimisation, recognition of free fluid in the abdomen and ability to recognise an AAA were also reported. The participants who completed at least 10 hours of training and at least 20 scans showed significantly greater improvement in their perception of skill and confidence levels than those with less time. Registrars reported training was of significant benefit, improving their confidence in obtaining good quality images and their understanding of the equipment, which contributed to them obtaining accreditation. Benefits were ongoing and 50% of participants reported using ultrasound in clinical practice at least 3 times per week and a further 30% at least weekly after leaving ED. Conclusion: Proctored training in the clinical context for ED registrars resulted in improvement in skills, confidence and willingness to maintain skills through practice in the clinical context over the long-term.

Diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of emergency department targeted ultrasonography in the evaluation of first-trimester pelvic pain and bleeding: a systematic review

Objective:

Emergency department targeted ultrasonography (EDTU) offers the possibility of rapid exclusion of ectopic pregnancy in patients with first-trimester pelvic pain or bleeding. We sought to systematically review the evidence describing the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of EDTU in the first trimester of pregnancy, and to generate a pooled estimate of the sensitivity and specificity of EDTU for the detection of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP).

Methods:

The literature search, abstract review and study selection were performed using predefined criteria. We abstracted the sensitivity and specificity of EDTU for IUP from included studies, and evaluated and summarized the evidence assessing the effect of EDTU use on time to diagnosis, time to treatment of ectopic pregnancy, emergency department (ED) length of stay and health care costs.

Results:

The specificity of EDTU for IUP in most studies exceeds 98%. The sensitivity in most studies exceeds 90%. Pooled estimates were not calculated because of statistical heterogeneity between studies. Published evidence indicates that EDTU use reduces the frequency of missed ectopic pregnancies, decreases time to surgery for ectopic pregnancy, shortens the length of stay for patients with normal pregnancies and may be more cost-effective than diagnostic strategies requiring formal ultrasonography.

Conclusion:

EDTU is highly specific for the identification of IUP. Patients who have an IUP identified with EDTU may be safely discharged from the ED with outpatient follow-up. The specificity of EDTU for IUP, along with the potential improvements in patient care that EDTU affords, justifies its adoption as routine ED care in evaluating first-trimester pain or bleeding.

Diagnostic accuracy of non-radiologist performed ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ultrasonography is increasingly used by clinicians to identify abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the accuracy of non-radiologist performed ultrasound (NRPUS) for AAA disease to the 'gold standard' of radiologist performed aortic imaging (RPI), intra-operative findings or postmortem findings.

METHODS

Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS-V.4, trial registries, conference proceedings, and article reference lists were searched to identify studies comparing NRPUS with RPI as the reference standard. Data abstracted from eligible studies was used to generate 2 × 2 contingency tables allowing calculation of pooled sensitivity and specificity values.

RESULTS

11 studies (944 patients) evaluated NRPUS for AAA detection. NRPUS had a pooled sensitivity of 0.975 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.942-0.992] for AAA detection and a pooled specificity of 0.989 (95% CI, 0.979-0.995).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-radiologist performed ultrasound achieves acceptable sensitivity and specificity for both detection and measurement of AAA. There was no evidence of significant heterogeneity with respect to pooled sensitivity or specificity.

Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma and Abdominal Computed Tomography Utilization in Adult Trauma Patients: Trends over the Last Decade

Objective. We sought to describe the trend in abdominal CT use in adult trauma patients after a point-of-care emergency ultrasound program was introduced. We hypothesized that abdominal CT use would decrease as FAST use increased. Methods. We performed a retrospective study of 19940 consecutive trauma patients over the age of 18 admitted to our level one trauma center from 2002 through 2011. Data was collected retrospectively and recorded in a trauma registry. We plotted the rate of FAST and abdominal CT utilization over time. Head CT was used as a surrogate for overall CT utilization rates during the study period. Results. Use of FAST increased by an average of 2.3% (95% CI 2.1 to 2.5, P < 0.01) while abdominal CT use decreased by the same rate annually. The percentage of patients who received FAST as the sole imaging modality for the abdomen rose from 2.0% to 21.9% while those who only received an abdominal CT dropped from 21.7% to 2.3%. Conclusions. Abdominal CT use in our cohort declined while FAST utilization grew in the last decade. The rising use of FAST may have played a role in the reduction of abdominal CT performed as decline in CT utilization appears contrary to overall trends.

Use of ultrasound for non-trauma patients in the emergency department

OBJECTIVE

In the past decade, there has been substantial knowledge translation in the use of ultrasound (US) by critical care physicians to aid diagnosis of the non-trauma patient. This study aimed to determine emergency doctors' level of training in ultrasonography, pattern of US use in regular practice and barriers to US use for the non-trauma patient presenting to an emergency department.

METHOD

A survey on the use of US in non-trauma patients was conducted, targeting all emergency physicians and emergency medicine trainees in a single adult tertiary referral centre.

RESULTS

The response rate was 92.7% with 38 completed surveys analysed. A course in non-trauma US had been completed by 58% of respondents. The most common non-trauma formal US training was in vascular access (82%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 66.8-90.6), detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm (79%, 95% CI 63.7-88.9) and pericardial fluid (84%, 95% CI 69.6-92.6). Upon completion of formal training, US was used significantly more frequently for obtaining vascular access (odds ratio [OR] 12.0), detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms (OR 4.3) and detection of pericardial fluid (OR 15.5). Most doctors felt the greatest barriers to the use of US in the non-trauma patient were the lack of teaching, confidence in findings, experienced supervisors and time.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ED personnel, use of US to diagnose several non-traumatic conditions was low, but specific training was associated with significantly more US use. Increased training and availability of US-experienced supervisors might further improve utility of this important adjunct to the practice of emergency medicine.

Dynamic changes of common bile duct diameter during an episode of biliary colic, documented by ultrasonography

Common bile duct stones frequently accompany gallstones and can be identified by a variety of imaging modalities. Little is known about the time course of dilatation of the common bile duct after acute obstruction or of normalization after spontaneous passage of an obstructing stone. We describe a case showing rapid fluctuations in common bile duct diameter during 72 hours in a patient presenting with epigastric pain and vomiting. Initial emergency bedside ultrasonography revealed a distended gallbladder, a dilated common bile duct (17 mm), and an obstructing stone. Five hours later, ultrasonography performed in the radiology suite showed a normal common bile duct diameter (4 mm) and no obstructing stone. The patient was admitted, and during the course of hospitalization different imaging modalities reported fluctuations in common bile duct measurements, ranging from 4 mm on computed tomography to 14 mm on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This case demonstrates disappearance of an obstructing stone with normalization of a highly distended common bile duct during 5 hours, highlighting that gallstone disease may be highly dynamic, with the possibility of rapid changes of common bile duct diameter. Emergency physicians, who frequently depend on ultrasonography to diagnose biliary disease, should be wary of the potential for rapid changes of sonographic findings in these patients.

Does the use of bedside pelvic ultrasound decrease length of stay in the emergency department?

OBJECTIVES

Diagnostic ultrasounds by emergency medicine (EM) and pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians have increased because of ultrasonography training during residency and fellowship. The availability of ultrasound in radiology departments is limited or difficult to obtain especially during nighttime hours. Studies have shown that EM physicians can accurately perform goal-directed ultrasound after appropriate training. The goal of this study was to compare the length of stay for patients receiving an ultrasound to confirm intrauterine pregnancies. The hypothesis of this study is that a bedside ultrasound by a trained EM/PEM physician can reduce length of stay in the emergency department (ED) by 1 hour.

METHODS

This was a case cohort retrospective review for patients aged 13 to 21 years who received pelvic ultrasounds in the ED during 2007. Each patient was placed into 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 received bedside ultrasounds done by institutionally credentialed EM/PEM attending physicians. Group 2 received radiology department ultrasound only. Each group had subanalysis done including chief complaint, time of presentation, time to completion of ultrasound, length of stay, diagnosis, and disposition. Daytime was defined as presentation between 7 AM and 9 PM when radiology ultrasound technologists were routinely available.

RESULTS

We studied 330 patients, with 244 patients (74%) in the bedside ultrasound group. The demographics of both groups showed no difference in age, presenting complaints, discharge diagnoses, and ultimate disposition. Group 1 had a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in time to complete the ultrasound compared with group 2 (mean, 82 minutes [range, 1-901 minutes] vs 149 minutes [range, 7-506 minutes]) and length of stay (142 [16-2268] vs. 230 [16-844]). Of those presenting during the day (66%), group 1 showed a significant reduction in length of stay (P < 0.001) compared with group 2 (220 [21-951] vs 357 [156-844]). Of those who presented at night (34%), group 1 showed a significant reduction in length of stay (P < 0.002) compared with group 2 (270 [16-2268] vs. 326 [127-691]).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ED bedside ultrasound by trained EM/PEM physicians produced a significant reduction in length of stay in the ED, regardless of radiology ultrasound technologist availability.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis in a 10-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is uncommon in pediatrics and more likely to be encountered in adult patients. Signs and symptoms of acute cholecystitis are similar to other causes of acute abdominal pain such as pancreatitis, gastritis, and acute appendicitis, further making diagnosis difficult. We present a case of acute acalculous cholecystitis in a child with cystic fibrosis and discuss the role of emergency physician bedside sonography in the evaluation of right-upper-quadrant pain.

Initial accuracy of bedside ultrasound performed by emergency physicians for multiple indications after a short training period

PURPOSES

Emergency physician-performed ultrasonography holds promise as a rapid and accurate method to diagnose multiple diseases in the emergency department (ED). Our objective was to assess the initial diagnostic accuracy (first 55 explorations) of emergency physician-performed ultrasonography for multiple categories of ultrasound use after a short training period.

BASIC PROCEDURES

This was a prospective observational study conducted at an urban ED from June 2010 to March 2011 in patients with suspected cholecystitis, hydronephrosis, deep vein thrombosis, and different cardiovascular problems. Five physicians had a 10-hour training session before enrolling patients. The test characteristics of bedside ultrasonography were determined with the final radiologist/cardiologist interpretation.

MAIN FINDINGS

A total of 275 ultrasonographic examinations were performed (78 abdominal explorations, 80 renal explorations, 76 2-point compression ultrasonographic examinations in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis, and 41 echocardiograms in patients with different acute cardiovascular problems). Radiologists/cardiologists detected 28 cases of cholecystitis, 26 cases of deep vein thrombosis, 49 cases of hydronephrosis, and 15 cases of significant cardiovascular alterations. The overall diagnostic accuracy of ED ultrasonograms yielded a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 92.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90%-99%), 89% (95% CI, 84%-94%), 86.2 % (95% CI, 82%-93%), and 94.2% (95% CI, 92%-99%), respectively. Nineteen (6.9%) false-positive results and 6 false-negative results (2.1%) were obtained.

PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS

Emergency physicians in our institution attained reasonably high initial accuracy in the performance of ultrasonography for a variety of clinical problems after a 10-hour training period.

Transvaginal ultrasound probe contamination by the human papillomavirus in the emergency department

OBJECTIVE

To determine if human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA can be detected on the transvaginal sonography (TVS) probe in the emergency department (ED) and whether the current barrier method plus disinfection can prevent HPV contamination of the TVS probe.

METHODS

This was a two-part cross-sectional study. In the first part, surveillance samples were taken from the TVS probe for HPV DNA detection daily for 2 months. In the second part, patients presenting with early pregnancy complications were identified in the ED and high vaginal swabs were taken for HPV DNA testing. Several probe swabs were taken to identify if contamination was possible in cases where the procedure was done on an HPV carrier.

RESULTS

A total of 120 surveillance samples were obtained, nine of which (7.5%) tested positive for HPV DNA. In the second part, 76 women were recruited, of whom 14 (18.4%) were HPV carriers. After the procedure and disinfection of the probe, three out of the 14 probe samples (21%) were HPV DNA positive.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV is commonly encountered in the ED and contamination of the TVS probe with HPV is possible. Although it is difficult to prove the viability and infectivity of the virus, vigilant infection control measures should be maintained.

Imaging and laboratory testing in acute abdominal pain

When discussing which laboratory tests or imaging to order in the setting of acute abdominal pain, it is practical to organize information by disease process (eg, acute appendicitis, cholecystitis). Because studies on the accuracy of diagnostic tests are of necessity related to the presence or absence of specific diagnoses, and because clinicians frequently look to tests to help them rule in or rule out specific conditions, this article is organized by region of pain and common abdominal diagnoses. It focuses on the contributions that laboratory testing and imaging make in the emergency management of abdominal complaints.

Non-Traumatic Pericardial Effusion Presenting as Shortness of Breath

Dyspnoea is a very common presentation in the emergency department (ED). Although cardiac and respiratory failures are common causes, we demonstrated the importance to consider non-traumatic pericardial effusion as a differential diagnosis for dyspnoea. Use of the ultrasound in the ED setting can help reach the diagnosis and provide timely and appropriate care for the patient.

The learning curve of resident physicians using emergency ultrasonography for cholelithiasis and cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Emergency department bedside ultrasonography (EUS) can expedite treatment for patients. However, it is unknown how much experience is required for competency in the sonographic diagnosis of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to assess the learning curve of physicians training in right upper quadrant (RUQ) EUS.

METHODS

This was a prospective study at an urban, academic emergency department from August 1999 to July 2006. Patients with suspected biliary tract disease underwent RUQ EUS followed by abdominal ultra sonography (AUS) by the Department of Radiology. Results of EUS were compared to AUS using a predesigned, standardized data sheet.

RESULTS

A total of 1,837 patients underwent EUS by 127 physicians. The overall sensitivity and specificity of EUS for cholelithiasis were 84% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 81% to 86%) and 86% (95% CI = 83% to 88%), respectively. The overall sensitivity of EUS for ductal dilation, gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and sludge were each < 60%. When analyzing the EUS test characteristics, for every increase in 10 examinations up to 50 examinations, there was no significant improvement in the sensitivity or specificity for any of these sonographic findings. Moreover, on probit regression analysis, accounting for clustering or correlation among the examinations performed by each of the operators, there was no improvement for detecting any of the sonographic findings except for pericholecystic fluid for every 10 additional examinations performed.

CONCLUSIONS

When adjusting for operator dependence, performing up to 50 EUS examinations appears to have little effect on the accuracy of RUQ EUS. Rather than simply requiring an arbitrary number of examinations, another method of competency assessment may be necessary.

Time needed to achieve completeness and accuracy in bedside lung ultrasound reporting in intensive care unit

Background

The use of lung ultrasound (LUS) in ICU is increasing but ultrasonographic patterns of lung are often difficult to quantify by different operators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and quality of LUS reporting after the introduction of a standardized electronic recording sheet.

Methods

Intensivists were trained for LUS following a teaching programme. From April 2008, an electronic sheet was designed and introduced in ICU database in order to uniform LUS examination reporting. A mark from 0 to 24 has been given for each exam by two senior intensivists not involved in the survey. The mark assigned was based on completeness of a precise reporting scheme, concerning the main finding of LUS. A cut off of 15 was considered sufficiency.

Results

The study comprehended 12 months of observations and a total of 637 LUS. Initially, although some improvement in the reports completeness, still the accuracy and precision of examination reporting was below 15. The time required to reach a sufficient quality was 7 months. A linear trend in physicians progress was observed.

Conclusions

The uniformity in teaching programme and examinations reporting system permits to improve the level of completeness and accuracy of LUS reporting, helping physicians in following lung pathology evolution.

The role of emergency ultrasound for evaluating acute pyelonephritis in the ED

BACKGROUND

Controversy remains over the imaging method of choice for evaluating acute pyelonephritis (APN) in the emergency department (ED).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of patients presented to the ED with APN.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. A cohort of ED patients diagnosed as APN were prospectively registered, and their medical records were then retrospectively reviewed for the presence of complications (admitted >14 days, admission to intensive care unit, or received invasive procedures), significant abnormalities (hydronephrosis, polycystic kidney diseases, renal abscess, emphysematous pyelonephritis), and mild abnormalities (cysts, stones, swelling).

RESULTS

The study included 243 patients. Most of the patients received one or more renal imaging studies (n = 206) and 39.5% of which were considered abnormal. The rates of significant abnormalities on different imaging methods were Kidney-ureter-bladder (KUB), 16.3%; emergency ultrasound (EUS), 39.6%; combination of KUB and EUS, 56.6%; and computed tomography, 58.8%. Factors contributed to complicated APN were elderly, male, a history of preexisting renal diseases, current use of catheters, previous renal calculi, and diabetes mellitus. Significant abnormalities can be identified by EUS in 61% of patients with complicated APN. In fact, the presence of significant sonographic abnormalities effectively diverted 34.3% of patients to receive surgical interventions (percutaneous nephrostomy, abscess aspiration, ureteroscopic stone manipulation, lithotripsy, or nephrectomy).

CONCLUSION

Structural abnormalities are not uncommon in ED patients with APN. Early assessment of these patients with EUS is likely to have a great impact on their diagnosis and management.

Diagnosis of pediatric intussusception by an emergency physician-performed bedside ultrasound: a case report

The past decade has seen a rapid evolution in the use of bedside ultrasound (BUS) in the emergency department (ED). In addition, it has been increasingly used in the pediatric population for a variety of indications. As ED BUS is a relatively new modality in pediatric emergency medicine, novel indications are increasingly being recognized. We report a case of a 9-month-old infant who presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of intussusception, whose diagnosis was made using ED BUS in the pediatric ED. Knowledge of the sonographic appearance of intussusception can aid the emergency physician in the prompt diagnosis of this condition while potentially minimizing complications that may result from a delay in diagnosis.

Incidental findings during emergency sonographic examinations: a case series

The teaching of ultrasonography is rapidly being incorporated into emergency medicine (EM) training programs and clinical practice. Most literature focuses on appropriate indications for the performance of emergency ultrasonography, and most EM-related courses and programs limit their teaching to standard focused indications. Generally this will suffice; however, occasionally, incidental findings, which are beyond the realm of what is taught in these programs, have influenced patient care. In this paper we discuss 7 cases in which incidental findings were discovered during an emergency sonographic examination. In each case the findings changed the patient's disposition, diagnosis and, potentially, outcome.

Role of bedside transvaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess in the emergency department

Tubo-ovarian Abscess (TOA) is a complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) requiring admission, i.v. antibiotics and, possibly, aspiration or surgery. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of emergency department (ED) bedside transvaginal ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of TOA. This was a retrospective review of non-pregnant ED patients presenting with pelvic pain who were diagnosed with TOA using bedside transvaginal US. ED US examinations were performed by emergency medicine residents and ultrasound-credentialed attending physicians within 1 h after clinical assessment. ED US logs were reviewed for the diagnosis of TOA. Medical records were reviewed for risk factors, medical and sexual history, physical examination findings, laboratory results, additional diagnostic testing, hospital course, and a discharge diagnosis of TOA by the admitting gynecology service. A total of 20 patients with TOA were identified over a 3-year period. Ages ranged from 14 to 45 years (mean 27 years). Seven (35%) patients reported a prior history of PID or sexually transmitted disease, and 1 (5%) was febrile. All had lower abdominal tenderness and 9 (45%) had cervical motion or adnexal tenderness. The sonographic abnormalities included 14 (70%) with a complex adnexal mass, 5 (25%) with echogenic fluid in the cul-de-sac, and 3 (15%) patients with pyosalpinx. The discharge diagnosis was TOA by the admitting gynecology service for all patients. Our study illustrates the limitations of clinical criteria in diagnosing TOA and supports the use of bedside US when evaluating patients with pelvic pain and symptoms that do not meet classic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for PID.

Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy using bedside transvaginal ultrasonography in the ED: a 2-year experience

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to describe diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy using bedside transvaginal ultrasound (US) in an established emergency US program.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study on patients presenting over a 2-year period performed at a level I urban academic emergency department (ED). The ED sees 78,000 patients annually and has a residency and active US program. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were pregnant, seen in the ED for a first-trimester complication, and underwent a bedside emergency US suggesting an ectopic pregnancy. Emergency department US logs were reviewed for findings suggestive of ectopic pregnancy. Medical records were reviewed for history, physical examination findings, laboratory results, additional diagnostic testing, management, hospital course, and a discharge diagnosis by the admitting obstetric service (OB). Patients with incomplete data were excluded from analysis. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients ranging in age from 16 to 39 years (mean, 25 years) were included in the study. Eight patients with incomplete data were excluded from analysis. Emergency-physician US diagnoses included definite ectopic pregnancy (6/74), probable ectopic pregnancy (28/74), and possible ectopic pregnancy (40/74). Forty-seven (64%) of these patients were eventually diagnosed with definite ectopic pregnancy by the OB. During initial consultation, the OB disagreed with the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in 15 (32%) of the 47 eventual patients with ectopic pregnancy, calling them miscarriages. Other eventual diagnoses included 9 (12%) patients with possible ectopic pregnancy, 11 (14%) patients with miscarriage, and 7 (9%) with intrauterine pregnancy. Emergency sonologists found tubal rings in 9 (19%) patients with eventual ectopic pregnancy, complex adnexal mass in 29 (61%) patients, and a large amount of echogenic fluid in the cul-de-sac in 10 (21%) patients. Six (13%) patients had live ectopic pregnancy. The OB ordered a radiology US in 10 cases but did not change the diagnosis or management. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels ranged from 41 to 59846 mIU/mL (mean, 4602 mIU/mL), but for live ectopic pregnancy, the range was 2118 to 59,846 mIU/mL (mean, 36,341 mIU/mL). Seventeen (36%) patients had beta-hCG levels of lower than 1000 mIU/mL. Of 47 eventual ectopic pregnancies, 29 (62%) patients underwent operative intervention, 17 (36%) patients received methotrexate, and 1 patient left against medical advice. Five (11%) of these patients with definite ectopic pregnancy were initially managed by emergency physicians with follow-up ED visits and serial US examinations without OB consultation.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that with increased experience, emergency sonologists can accurately diagnose ectopic pregnancy. Furthermore, patients at risk for ectopic pregnancy should not be denied US examinations if their beta-hCG levels fall below an arbitrary discriminatory zone.

A bedside ultrasound curriculum for medical students: prospective evaluation of skill acquisition

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy of an introductory ultrasound (US) curriculum for medical students rotating through our emergency department.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Third- and 4th-year medical students indicated their previous US experience and were given a pretest consisting of static US images to assess baseline interpretation skills. They participated in a 45-min interactive didactic session followed by a 45-min session of hands-on experience practicing real-time US image acquisition on a normal model. After this session, we tested the timing and quality of their image acquisition skills on a separate normal model. Quality of images was based on a point value from 0 to 2 per image. This was followed by a posttest of static US images, which was graded in the same manner as the pretest.

RESULTS

Thirty-one students participated in the study. Median time to acquire 2 images was 112.5 sec (range = 15420 sec). Acquisition time was unaffected by previous experience (p = .97). The mean score on the quality of 2 images (maximum score = 4) was 3.84; median was 4 (range = 14). Image quality was significantly better in participants with previous US experience (p = .014). Scores on interpretation of static images improved significantly from pretest to posttest by a median of 8.25 points (p = .0001).

CONCLUSION

Our introductory US course is effective at significantly improving medical students' interpretation of static US images. The majority of students were able to acquire high quality images in a short period of time after this session.

Impending cardiac tamponade: A case report highlighting the value of bedside echocardiography

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening process that must be diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion. As blood fills the pericardial sac, right ventricular filling is impeded and cardiac output is diminished, ultimately leading to cardiovascular collapse. Fortunately, emergency ultrasonography has improved the way we manage these patients today. In this report, we discuss a patient with hypotension and tachycardia who was found to have a massive loculated posterior pericardial effusion with impending cardiac tamponade. The diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this patient were rapidly ascertained with the use of bedside echocardiography. We review the literature on emergency ultrasonography, and consider the numerous instances in which emergency echocardiography can be life-saving.

Ultrasonography in community emergency departments in the United States: access to ultrasonography performed by consultants and status of emergency physician-performed ultrasonography

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Nearly all emergency medicine residency programs provide some training in emergency physician-performed ultrasonography, but the extent of emergency physician-performed ultrasonography in community emergency departments (EDs) is not known. We seek to determine the state of ultrasonography in community EDs in terms of access to ultrasonography by other specialists and performance of ultrasonography by emergency physicians.

METHODS

A 6-page survey that addressed access to ultrasonography performed by other specialists and emergency physician-performed ultrasonography was designed and pilot tested. A list of all US ED directors was obtained from the American College of Emergency Physicians. Twelve hundred of 5264 EDs were randomly selected to receive the anonymous survey, with responses tracked by separate postcard. There were 3 mailings from Fall 2003 to Spring 2004.

RESULTS

Overall response rate was 61% (684/1130). Respondents who self-reported as being academic with emergency medicine residents were excluded from further analysis (n=35). A sensitivity analysis (reported in parentheses) was performed on the key outcome question to adjust for response bias. As reported by ED directors, ultrasonography was available in the ED for use by emergency physicians at all times in 19% of EDs (12% to 28%), with an additional 15% (9% to 21%) reporting a machine available for use by emergency physicians in some capacity and 66% (51% to 80%) reporting that there was no access to a machine for emergency physician use. ED directors reported being requested or required to limit ultrasonography orders performed by radiology in 41% of EDs, with less timely access to radiology-performed ultrasonography in off hours. Of EDs with emergency physician-performed ultrasonography, the most common applications were Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination (85%), code situation (72%), and check for pericardial effusion (67%). Of physicians performing ultrasonography, 16% stated they were currently requesting reimbursement (billing). The primary reason cited for not implementing emergency physician-performed ultrasonography was lack of emergency physician training. For the statement "emergency medicine residents now starting residency should be trained to perform and interpret focused bedside ultrasonography," 84% of ED directors agreed, 14% were neutral, and less than 2% disagreed.

CONCLUSION

Community ED directors continue to report barriers to obtaining ultrasonography from consultants, especially in off hours. Nineteen percent of community ED directors report having a machine available for emergency physician use at all times; however, two thirds of EDs report no access to ultrasonography for emergency physician use. A majority of community ED directors support residency training in emergency physician-performed ultrasonography.

ED ultrasound in hepatobiliary disease

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of gallbladder ultrasound performed by emergency physicians (EPUS) in patients with right upper quadrant (RUQ) and epigastric (EPI) pain, adults>18 years of age with RUQ or EPI pain were prospectively evaluated by physical examination, laboratory data, and EPUS followed by a blinded radiology department ultrasound (RADUS). Diagnostic categories included: "normal gallbladder"; "uncomplicated symptomatic cholelithiasis" (uncomplicated SCL; stones present but symptoms and signs relieved and no abnormal blood-work); or "complicated symptomatic cholelithiasis" (CSCL; stones and positive symptoms and signs including abnormal blood-work). Final Emergency Department patient assessments based on the RADUS were compared to the EPUS. Over 2-years, 127 patients were enrolled. The sensitivity of the EPUS for detecting stones was 94% (positive predictive value 99%; specificity 96%; negative predictive value 73%). In conclusion, the EPUS is a highly sensitive and reliable indicator of the presence of gallstones.

Challenges, Controversies, and Advances in Aortic Catastrophes

Emergency physicians (EPs) are commonly faced with life-threatening entities. Particularly challenging are the aortic catastrophes, such as penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs), intramural hematomas (IMHs), and atypical presentations of acute aortic dissections and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Several factors account for this: (1) the rapidly evolving knowledge (particularly in the pathogenesis and precursors of aortic dissection [AD]), (2) the lack of comfort caused by infrequent exposure, (3) the misconceptions about the work up and treatment, (4) the lack of emergent vascular surgery back up in the community, and finally (5) the high short-term mortality and missed rates. Finally, the media has publicized cases of celebrities and other patients who experienced fatal outcomes when their aortic catastrophes went undiagnosed. Practitioners of emergency care should, therefore, understand the challenges, be aware of the recent advances, and help limit the controversies in the evaluation and management of these patients.

Ultrasonography in patients without trauma in the emergency department: impact on discharge diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine to what extent findings on ultrasonography performed in the emergency department (ED) after hours confirm or alter the referral diagnosis in patients without trauma as reflected in the discharge diagnosis.

METHODS

In this prospective study, data from 136 ultrasonographic examinations performed in patients without trauma after hours in the ED during January and February 2002 were evaluated against the suspected preimaging diagnosis of the referring ED physician and the actual discharge diagnosis from the ED or after hospitalization. The rate of preimaging and postimaging concordance was statistically analyzed and compared by calculation of confidence intervals and by the McNemar test.

RESULTS

Normal ultrasonographic findings were documented in 54 patients (40%), and pathologic findings were documented in 82 (60%). Thirty-four (25%) of the 136 examinations were concordant with the initial referring physician's diagnosis. Of the 102 studies that were not concordant with the initial referral suspected diagnoses, that is, being either a study with normal findings or offering an alternative diagnosis, 81 (79.4%) were concordant with the discharge diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

After-hours ultrasonographic findings in patients without trauma seen in the ED seem to have a high impact on the discharge diagnosis and are concordant with it in more than 80% of cases.