Bedside ocular ultrasound.

Many ocular emergencies are difficult to diagnose in the emergency setting with conventional physical examination tools. Additionally, persistent efforts to re-examine the eye may be deleterious to a patient's overall condition. Ultrasound is an important tool because it affords physicians a rapid, portable, accurate, and dynamic tool for evaluation of a variety of ocular and orbital diseases. The importance of understanding orbital anatomy, with attention to the firm attachment points of the various layers of the eye, cannot be understated. This article describes the relevant eye anatomy, delves into the ultrasound technique, and illustrates a variety of orbital pathologies detectable by bedside ultrasound.

Basic ultrasound-guided procedures.

Use of bedside ultrasound to guide simple procedures increases safety by allowing real-time visualization of patient anatomy. This article discusses ultrasound guidance for basic procedures including peripheral and central intravenous access, arterial access, suprapubic aspiration, abscess incision and drainage, foreign body identification, and joint arthrocentesis. It reviews the indications and complications of the procedure, advantages of ultrasound guidance, anatomy, and procedural technique.

Advanced ultrasound procedures.

Ultrasound guidance has become the standard of care for many bedside procedures, owing to its portability, ease of use, and significant reduction in complications. This article serves as an introduction to the use of ultrasonography in several advanced procedures, including pericardiocentesis, thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, regional anesthesia, and peritonsillar abscess drainage.