Kunafa knife and play dough is an efficient and cheap simulator to teach diagnostic Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

Disorders of gut microbiota and fecal-serum metabolic patterns are associated with pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary tuberculosis comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are prevalent chronic diseases with substantial implications for human health. DM patients are more susceptible to PTB, which exacerbates diabetes-related complications. However, the complex molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced susceptibility of DM patients to PTB infection remain poorly understood. In this study, α- and β-diversity of gut microbiota was significantly reduced in PTB patients and PTB-DM patients. The abundances of families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae in the the Firmicutes phylum were reduced in PTB patients and further diminished in PTB-DM patients. On the other hand, untargeted metabolomics in frozen serum and stool samples indicated that phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, metabolites of arginine, proline, tryptophan, and histidine were consistently altered in PTB patients and PTB-DM patients, with significant upregulation of most metabolites. Amino acids like serine, proline, and histidine were both remarkably elevated in PTB and PTB-DM patients. The correlation network analysis reveals the relationships between the shared microbial biomarkers and the shared metabolic pathways. This research contributes to the exploration of pivotal diagnostic biomarkers for both patients with PTB and PTB accompanied by diabetes. Specifically, shared reductions were identified in the genera g-Roseburia, g-Ruminococcaceae_UCG.013, g-Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214, g-Lachnospiraceae_unclassified, and g-Firmicutes_unclassified in addition to notable regulation of amino acids, like glycine, serine, and histidine in patients with PTB and PTB-DM. Our study expands the comprehension of the intricate connections linking gut microbiota, fecal metabolites, and serum metabolites in PTB and PTB-DM patients.

IMPORTANCE

This study expands the understanding of the complex links between gut microbiota, fecal metabolites, and serum metabolites in patients with PTB and PTB-DM through multi-omics techniques. It is helpful for us to understand the complex molecular mechanism of increased susceptibility to PTB infection in diabetic patients.

Molecular evidence of the inhibitory potential of melatonin against sodium arsenite toxicity

Introduction

Sodium arsenite (SA), NaAsO2, is among the most hazardous toxicants, and wide use and presence of this toxicant leads to a severe environmental threat. Exposure to SA is associated with many health concerns, such as the prevalence of cancer and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). Many studies suggest that SA induces inflammation and biochemical impairments through different mechanisms, including increasing oxidative stress and altering vital genes such as biochemical and anti-inflammatory. Recent studies on melatonin (MLT), a harmless hormone secreted in the body generally for induction of sleepiness, find many beneficial and positive effects. Mitigating different harms and toxicities through different mechanisms, such as antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and critical gene regulation, is essential. Due to these findings, this study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that MLT may ameliorate pancreatic damage caused by exposure to SA.

Methods

Forty-eight adult healthy male wistar rats aged 7-8 weeks were divided into eight for this research. Group 1 did not receive any intervention. Group 2 received 10 mg/kg/day MLT through intraperitoneal (IP) injection. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received 1.5 (1/10 LD50), 5 (1/3 LD50), and 7.5 (1/2 LD50) mg/kg SA, respectively. Groups 6, 7, and 8 were given 1.5 (1/10 LD50), 5 (1/3 LD50), and 7.5 (1/2 LD50) mg/kg of SA along with 10 mg/kg/day MLT, respectively, during the last ten days of the experiment. After 28 days of the experiment, the blood and tissue samples of the pancreas were removed for biochemical and pathological examination.

Results

MLT attenuates SA toxicity by reducing oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammation markers. Moreover, MLT improves SA exposure's biochemical and functional damages by regulating related genes and pathways.

Conclusion

MLT poses protective and preventive effects on the pancreas against exposure to SA. However, MLT's therapeutic and beneficial impacts have great potential for further investigation.

Bedside Small Bowel Follow-Through: The Role in the Management of Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction

BACKGROUND

 Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) accounts for the majority of hospitalizations related to SBO following abdominal surgery. Delays in the management of ASBO are associated with longer hospital stays and increased mortality rates, making it imperative to establish an efficient way of determining which patients need surgical intervention.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the contribution of bedside small bowel follow-through (BSBFT) in the management of suspected ASBO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-site analysis of 320 patients who underwent BSBFT from August 2015 to 2019 was retrospectively performed. The presence of contrast in the colon on abdominal radiographs obtained at eight and 24 hours after administration and subsequent management (conservative versus surgical) was recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 320 BSBFT exams, 235 cases had colonic contrast present at eight hours. Twelve of those cases received surgical treatment, while the remaining 223 were managed conservatively. Forty-three cases showed colonic contrast at 24 hours despite not showing contrast at eight hours. Of these cases, 29 patients were managed conservatively, while 14 patients underwent surgery. Forty-two cases had no contrast at 24 hours, and 33 patients of those patients subsequently received surgical intervention, while nine were managed conservatively. Patients who had contrast on radiographs and underwent surgical interventions had either high clinical concern for postoperative complications or stagnant clinical progression.

CONCLUSION

BSBFT helps determine the management for suspected ASBO. ​Patients with colonic contrast on eight- or 24-hour abdominal images were more likely to be managed conservatively. However, the clinical context is important, since clinical factors may overrule the results of the BSBFT.

Angioembolization in patients with blunt splenic trauma in Germany -guidelines vs. Reality a retrospective registry-based cohort study of the TraumaRegister DGU®

PURPOSE

Nonoperative management (NOM) for blunt splenic injuries (BSIs) is supported by both international and national guidelines in Germany, with high success rates even for severe organ injuries. Angioembolization (ANGIO) has been recommended for stabilizable patients with BSI requiring intervention since the 2016 German National Trauma Guideline. The objectives were to study treatment modalities in the adult BSI population according to different severity parameters including NOM, ANGIO and splenectomy in Germany.

METHODS

Between 2015 and 2020, a retrospective registry-based cohort study was performed on patients with BSIs with an Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 2 in Germany using registry data from the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR DGU). This registry includes patients which were treated in a resuscitation room and spend more than 24-h in an intensive care unit or died in the resuscitation room.

RESULTS

A total of 2,782 patients with BSIs were included in the analysis. ANGIO was used in 28 patients (1.0%). NOM was performed in 57.5% of all patients, predominantly those with less severe organ injuries measured by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale (AAST) ≤ 2. The splenectomy rate for patients with an AAST ≥ 3 was 58.5%, and the overall mortality associated with BSI was 15%.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort splenic injuries AAST ≥ 3 were predominantly managed surgically and ANGIO was rarely used to augment NOM. Therefore, clinical reality deviates from guideline recommendations regarding the use of ANGIO and NOM. Local interdisciplinary treatment protocols might close that gap in the future.

JB Sharma's white cotton ball sign: A new laparoscopic sign in abdominopelvic tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Abdominopelvic tuberculosis (TB) is a variant of extrapulmonary TB causing significant morbidity, including infertility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Results of 87 cases of diagnostic laparoscopy in cases of abdominopelvic TB diagnosed on composite reference standard (CRS) for demonstration of new laparoscopic white cotton ball sign are presented.

RESULTS

Mean age, parity and duration of infertility were 27.2 years, 0.21 and 3.1 years, respectively. Oligomenorrhoea and hypomenorrhea were seen in 35 (40.22%) and 32 (36.78%) cases, while infertility was seen in all 87 (100%) cases while abdominal mass was seen in 27 (31.03%) cases and pelvic mass in 37 (42.58%) cases. Positive acid fast bacilli on microscopy and culture of endometrial biopsy was seen in 3.34% and 6.89% cases while epithelioid granuloma was seen in 12.64% cases on endometrial biopsy and in 13.79% cases on peritoneal biopsy. Positive polymerase chain reaction was seen in all cases while definitive abdominal pelvic TB was seen in 35 (40.1%) cases and probable findings in 42 (48.27%) cases. A new laparoscopic white cotton ball sign (resembling a large white cotton ball) was observed in 5 (5.74%) cases and biopsy from 3 showed it to be epithelioid granulomas positive.

CONCLUSION

Demonstration of a new white cotton ball sign on laparoscopy seems to be a useful finding in abdominal pelvic TB.

The gut microbiome: A line of defense against tuberculosis development

The tuberculosis (TB) burden remains a significant global public health concern, especially in less developed countries. While pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is the most common form of the disease, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly intestinal TB (ITB), which is mostly secondary to PTB, is also a significant issue. With the development of sequencing technologies, recent studies have investigated the potential role of the gut microbiome in TB development. In this review, we summarized studies investigating the gut microbiome in both PTB and ITB patients (secondary to PTB) compared with healthy controls. Both PTB and ITB patients show reduced gut microbiome diversity characterized by reduced Firmicutes and elevated opportunistic pathogens colonization; Bacteroides and Prevotella were reported with opposite alteration in PTB and ITB patients. The alteration reported in TB patients may lead to a disequilibrium in metabolites such as short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which may recast the lung microbiome and immunity via the "gut-lung axis". These findings may also shed light on the colonization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the gastrointestinal tract and the development of ITB in PTB patients. The findings highlight the crucial role of the gut microbiome in TB, particularly in ITB development, and suggest that probiotics and postbiotics might be useful supplements in shaping a balanced gut microbiome during TB treatment.

Current role of endoscopic ultrasound for gastrointestinal and abdominal tuberculosis

A high incidence of tuberculosis (TB), especially in endemic countries, makes this infectious disease a concern. Abdominal TB contributes to 10% of extrapulmonary TB. Due to nonspecific clinical, radiological, and endoscopic findings, diagnosing abdominal TB continues to be a challenge. Hence, a precise diagnosis is needed. The diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is often performed due to its high resolution and ability to provide a real-time visual representation of the gastrointestinal tract and extramural structures. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (FNB) have helped diagnose TB as they offer an adequate specimen for cytology or histopathological examination. This method is considered safer, more effective, and more efficient. The capacity of EUS to diagnose abdominal TB based on the affected organs was examined via a literature search. We reviewed the role of EUS in diagnosing esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, peripancreatic, hepatosplenic, peritoneal, and intestinal TB. Generally, EUS aids in diagnosing abdominal TB. In some organs, it is superior to other diagnostic modalities. However, further examinations, such as cytology or histopathology and microbial, are still needed. We also studied the roles of EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB. EUS-FNA has shown a high diagnostic yield in esophageal (94.3-100%), pancreatic and peripancreatic (76.2%), and intestinal TB (84.1%). As minimally invasive methods, EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB can successfully provide sufficient samples. EUS is a functional diagnostic modality for abdominal TB. EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB provide sufficient samples safely and efficiently for further cytology, histopathology, and microbial examinations.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography by Emergency Medicine Resident in Detecting Intestinal Obstruction; a Pilot Study

Introduction

There are many ambiguities regarding the application of ultrasound in detection of intestinal obstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosis of intestinal obstruction.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on patients with symptoms and signs of bowel obstruction between November 2019 and July 2020 in Shohadaye-Tajrish and Imam Hossein General Hospitals, Tehran, Iran. After a brief explanation and getting verbal consent, the patients underwent ultrasound examination in the emergency department by the emergency medicine resident. The results of ultrasound were compared with the surgical findings as the gold standard.

Results

24 patients with the mean age of 57.50±18.26 (range: 28 - 81) years were studied (58.3% male). Ultrasonography findings revealed the lumen diameter ≥ 2.5 cm in 21 (87.5%) cases, wall thickness ≥ 3 mm in 3 (12.5%) cases and inter-loop free fluid in 3 (12.5%) cases. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of ultrasound in detection of intestinal obstruction were found to be 85.00% (95%CI: 61.13 - 96.03), 80.95% (95%CI: 57.42 - 93.71), and 70.83% (95%CI: 48.91 - 87.38), respectively.

Conclusion

It seems that point-of-care ultrasound has good sensitivity and accuracy in detection of intestinal obstruction when performed in the emergency department by a trained emergency medicine resident.

Ultrasonography in undergraduate medical education: a comprehensive review and the education program implemented at Jichi Medical University

The concept of point-of-care ultrasound has been widely accepted owing to the development of portable ultrasound systems and growing body of evidence concerning its extensive utility. Thus, it is reasonable to suggest that training to use this modality be included in undergraduate medical education. Training in ultrasonography helps medical students learn basic subjects such as anatomy and physiology, improve their physical examination skills, and acquire diagnostic and procedural skills. Technological advances such as simulators, affordable handheld devices, and tele-ultrasound systems can facilitate undergraduate ultrasound education. Several reports have indicated that some medical schools have integrated ultrasound training into their undergraduate medical curricula. Jichi Medical University in Japan has been providing medical students with ultrasound education to fulfill part of its mission to provide medical care to rural areas. Vertical integration of ultrasound education into a curriculum seems reasonable to ensure skill retention and improvement. However, several issues have hampered the integration of ultrasound into medical education, including a lack of trained faculty, the need to recruit human models, requisition of ultrasound machines for training, and limited curricular space; proposed solutions include peer teaching, students as trained simulated patients, the development of more affordable handheld devices, and a flipped classroom approach with access to an e-learning platform, respectively. A curriculum should be developed through multidisciplinary and bottom-up student-initiated approaches. Formulating national and international consensuses concerning the milestones and curricula can promote the incorporation of ultrasound training into undergraduate medical education at the national level.

Recent updates in diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis with emphasis on nucleic acid amplification tests

INTRODUCTION

Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is a common epitome of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), wherein peritoneal and intestinal TB are the most prevalent forms. Diagnosis of abdominal TB is a daunting challenge owing to variable anatomical locations, paucibacillary nature of specimens and atypical clinical presentations that mimic other abdominal diseases, such as Crohn's disease and malignancies. In this review, we made a comprehensive study on the diagnosis of abdominal TB.

AREA COVERED

Various modalities employed for abdominal TB diagnosis include clinical features, imaging, bacteriological tests (smear/culture), histopathological/cytological observations, interferon-gamma release assays and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). Among NAATs, loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay, PCR, multiplex-PCR, nested PCR, real-time PCR and GeneXpert® MTB/RIF were discussed. Identification of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell-free DNA by real-time PCR within ascitic fluids is another useful approach.

EXPERT OPINION

Several novel molecular/immunological methods, such as GeneXpert Ultra, aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay, immuno-PCR (I-PCR) and nanoparticle-based I-PCR have recently been developed for detecting pulmonary TB and several EPTB types, which may also be explored for abdominal TB diagnosis. Precise and prompt diagnosis of abdominal TB may initiate an early therapy so as to reduce the complications, i.e. abdominal pain, ascites, abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction/perforation, etc., and avoid surgical involvement.Plain Language SummaryAbdominal tuberculosis (TB) is a manifestation of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), where peritoneal and intestinal TB are two major forms. Diagnosis of abdominal TB is difficult owing to low bacterial load present in clinical samples and non-specific clinical presentations as it mimics other diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases, abdominal malignancies, etc. Bacteriological tests (smear/culture) almost fail owing to poor sensitivities and it is not always possible to get representative tissue samples for histopathological and cytological observations. In recent years, molecular tests i.e. nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), such as PCR/multiplex-PCR (M-PCR), nested PCR and GeneXpert are widely employed. Markedly, PCR/M-PCR and nested PCR exhibited reasonable good sensitivities/specificities, while GeneXpert revealed low sensitivity in most of the studies but high specificity, thus it could assist in differential diagnosis of intestinal TB and Crohn's disease. Further, novel molecular/immunological tests employed for pulmonary TB and other EPTB types were described and those tests can also be utilized to diagnose abdominal TB. Reliable and rapid diagnosis of abdominal TB would initiate an early start of anti-tubercular therapy and reduce the severe complications.

Characteristics and outcomes of pediatric blunt renal trauma: a nationwide cohort study in Japan

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to describe epidemiologic features of pediatric blunt renal trauma.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis using the Japan Trauma Data Bank over 15 years. We included patients younger than 18 years with blunt renal trauma. We analyzed temporal trends and variations across age groups in patient characteristics, intervention, and in-hospital mortality. We also assessed factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

We identified 435 pediatric patients with blunt renal trauma. Their median age was 14 years and median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 17. The most common mechanism of injury was traffic accident in all age groups. Nephrectomy was performed in 3.2%, and the overall in-hospital mortality was 4.6%, both of which showed decreasing trends. The most common mechanism of injury by age group was a pedestrian accident in infants/toddlers/preschoolers (43.5%), pedestrian accident in middle childhood (18.5%), bicycle accident in young teens (24.7%), and motorcycle accident in teenagers (41.2%). Sports-related injury was common in young teens (23.3%) and teenagers (15.2%). Factors such as ISS, shock, concomitant injury, and nephrectomy were associated with high in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

We described decreasing trends in nephrectomy and in-hospital mortality in pediatric blunt renal trauma and found traffic accident and sports-related injury were common in the pediatric population in Japan.

The role of angioembolization in the management of blunt renal injuries: a systematic review

Background

Recently, renal angioembolization (RAE) has gained an important role in the non-operative management (NOM) of moderate to high-grade blunt renal injuries (BRI), but its use remains heterogeneous. The aim of this review is to examine the current literature on indications and outcomes of angioembolization in BRI.

Methods

We conducted a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Web of Science Databases up to February 2021 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for studies on BRI treated with RAE. The methodological quality of eligible studies and their risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale

Results

A total of 16 articles that investigated angioembolization of blunt renal injury were included in the study. Overall, 412 patients were included: 8 presented with grade II renal trauma (2%), 97 with grade III renal trauma (23%); 225 with grade IV (55%); and 82 with grade V (20%). RAE was successful in 92% of grade III–IV (294/322) and 76% of grade V (63/82). Regarding haemodynamic status, success rate was achieved in 90% (312/346) of stable patients, but only in 63% (42/66) of unstable patients. The most common indication for RAE was active contrast extravasation in hemodynamic stable patients with grade III or IV BRI.

Conclusions

This is the first review assessing outcomes and indication of angioembolization in blunt renal injuries. The results suggest that outcomes are excellent in hemodynamic stable, moderate to high-grade renal trauma.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12894-021-00873-w.

Thromboelastography is a Marker for Clinically Significant Progressive Hemorrhagic Injury in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

BACKGROUND

Coagulopathy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased risk of poor outcomes, but accurate prediction of clinically significant progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI) in patients with severe TBI remains a challenge. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a real-time test of whole blood coagulation that provides dynamic information about global hemostasis. This study aimed to identify differences in TEG values between patients with severe TBI who did or did not experience clinically significant PHI.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of adult patients with severe TBI. Patients were eligible for inclusion if initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was ≤ 8 and baseline head computed tomography (CT) imaging and TEG were available. Exclusion criteria included receipt of hemostatic agents prior to TEG. PHI was defined as bleeding expansion on CT within 24 h associated with 2-point drop in GCS, neurosurgical intervention, or mortality within 24 h. The primary endpoint was TEG value differences between patients with and without PHI. Secondary endpoints included differences in conventional coagulation tests (CCTs) between groups.

RESULTS

Of the 526 patients evaluated, 141 met inclusion criteria. The most common reason for exclusion was lack of baseline TEG and receipt of reversal product prior to TEG. Sixty-four patients experienced PHI in the first 24 h after presentation. K time (2.03 min vs. 1.33 min, P = 0.035) and alpha angle (65° vs. 69°, P = 0.015) were found to be significantly different in patients experiencing PHI. R time (5.25 min vs. 4.71 min), maximum amplitude (61 mm vs. 63 mm), and clot lysis at 30 min after maximum clot strength (3.5% vs. 1.7%) were not significantly different between groups. Of the CCTs, only activated partial thromboplastin time (30.3 s vs. 27.6 s, P = 0.014) was found to be different in patients with PHI.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged K time and narrower alpha angle were found to be associated with developing clinically significant PHI in patients with severe TBI. Despite differences detected in alpha angle, median values in both groups were within normal reference ranges. These abnormalities may reflect pathologic hypoactivity of fibrinogen, and further study is warranted to evaluate TEG-guided cryoprecipitate administration in this patient population.

Point-of-care ultrasound for the acute abdomen in the primary health care

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a focused examination, which is performed and interpreted at the bedside by the treating physician answering a specific clinical question. It is currently utilized as an essential adjunct to physical examination in many medical specialties. Recent advances in technology have made POCUS machines portable, affordable, and could be used with minimal training even by nonradiologists. This review aims to cover the fundamental physics of POCUS and its applications for diagnosing the acute abdomen in the primary health care including the most common causes encountered by family physicians. These are acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, renal colic, ectopic pregnancy, acute diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. We hope to encourage primary care physicians to incorporate POCUS in their routine clinical practice. We also highlight challenges encountered when using POCUS in the primary health care including limited availability and the need for proper training. Furthermore, we review the POCUS results when performed by primary health-care physicians. Integrating POCUS in primary health care empowers primary health-care physicians to provide high-quality, safe, and cost-effective care to the patients.

Intra-abdominal tuberculosis masquerading as ovarian carcinoma

Intra-abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is rare in Australia, but it can be found in those who emigrate from endemic areas. We report a rare case of a 28-year-old lady from the Philippines who presented with abdominal pain, ascites and an elevated cancer antigen (CA) 125 with an initial concern of ovarian malignancy. She underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed typical features of intra-abdominal TB and histological features of granulomatous inflammation. The symptoms and signs of intra-abdominal TB are non-specific and can mimic many other conditions. The gold-standard mode of diagnosis in intra-abdominal TB is laparoscopy with tissue biopsy. Ovarian malignancy is relatively rare in pre-menopausal women; hence an elevated CA 125 warrants a broader differential diagnosis. It is important to have intra-abdominal TB as a differential even in the non-endemic settings to avoid delay in diagnosis and appropriate management.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Training During an Emergency Medicine Clerkship: A Prospective Study

Aim This study evaluated the effects of three-hour instructor-led training courses in the Extended Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma (EFAST) and Rapid Ultrasound in Shock and Hypotension (RUSH) protocols on knowledge gain and retention by final-year medical students. Methods This prospective study evaluated 79 final year medical students participating in an emergency medicine (EM) clerkship during the 2017-2018 academic year. None of the included students had prior formal ultrasound training or hands-on experience. All students participated in three-hour training courses on the EFAST and RUSH protocols, with training on each protocol involving one hour of didactic training and two hours of practical training. Knowledge improvement was measured by testing before and after each course, and knowledge retention was evaluated on a final clerkship multiple choice question (MCQ) examination. Results Median scores were significantly higher after rather than before both the EFAST (15; range, 12-19 vs. 7; range, 2-18; p < 0.0001) and RUSH (16; range, 6-20 vs. 6; range, 1-13; p < 0.0001) courses. EFAST knowledge was significantly higher than RUSH knowledge before (p = 0.04) but not after (p = 0.82) taking the respective course. The RUSH score was significantly lower than the EFAST score on the final clerkship MCQ examination (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Three hours of instructor-led ultrasound training given during an EM clerkship significantly increased knowledge of both the EFAST and RUSH protocols. Knowledge retention after two weeks was higher for the EFAST than the RUSH protocol. A longer period of RUSH training may improve the retention of knowledge.