Finding the Balance: The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pseudoaneurysm.

A 49-year-old male with history of intravenous drug use presented to the Emergency Department with localized right arm swelling that has been slowly growing for months. On physical exam, there was a golf ball sized mass in the right antecubital fossa without overlying skin changes and no neurovascular deficits in the distal extremity. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was performed utilizing a water bath with visualization of bidirectional swirling in a round cavity adjacent to the brachial artery. Aneurysms are abnormal focal dilations that result from vascular wall defects. Ultrasound has been reported to have 94% sensitivity and 97% specificity for diagnosis of pseudoaneurysms. On color doppler ultrasound, pseudoaneurysm is characterized by the pathognomonic "yin-yang" sign. In the case of the 49-year-old male with a right antecubital mass and history of IVDU, the proposed mechanism of injury was trauma to the arterial wall secondary to auto-injection. POCUS has been found to improve identification of abscesses and its incorporation in patient evaluation can guide clinical management, prevent unwanted iatrogenic exsanguination, and determine whether there is a need for urgent vascular surgery intervention, particularly in high-risk patients.

Diagnostic Accuracy of a Handheld Ultrasound vs a Cart-based Model: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Numerous studies have demonstrated the accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Portable, handheld devices have expanded the clinical scope of POCUS at a fraction of the cost of traditional, cart-based models. There is a paucity of data assessing the diagnostic accuracy of portable devices. Our objective in this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a portable device with a cart-based model. Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved, observational, prospective, randomized clinical trial (NCT05196776) of a convenience sample of adult patients who presented to a university-based health system. Patients who required a cardiac, lung, renal, aorta, or biliary POCUS were randomized to a portable device or to a cart-based model. We hypothesized that the cart-based model would have a 90% diagnostic accuracy vs 70% for the handheld device. To detect a 20% difference, the sample size was calculated to be 98, with 49 patients randomized to each arm. We used standard 2x2 tables to calculate test characteristics with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 110 patients were enrolled, with 56 patients randomized to the cart-based model and 54 to the handheld device. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of the cart-based vs handheld were 77.8% (40-97.2) vs 92.9% (66.1-99.8), 91.5% (79.6-97.6) vs 92.3% (79.1-98.4%), and 89.3% (78.1-96) vs 92.5% (81.8-97.9), respectively. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of a portable, handheld device is similar to that of a cart-based model.

The sonographic protocol for the emergent evaluation of aortic dissections (SPEED protocol): A multicenter, prospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVES: An aortic dissection (AoD) is a potentially life-threatening emergency with mortality rates exceeding 50%. While computed tomography angiography remains the diagnostic standard, patients may be too unstable to leave the emergency department. Investigators developed a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) protocol combining transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and the abdominal aorta. The study objective was to determine the test characteristics of this protocol. METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved, multicenter, prospective, observational, cohort study of a convenience sample of adult patients. Patients suspected of having an AoD received a TTE and abdominal aorta POCUS. Three sonographic signs suggested AoD: a pericardial effusion, an intimal flap, or an aortic outflow track diameter measuring more than 35 mm. Investigators present continuous and categorical data as medians with interquartile ranges or proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and utilized standard 2 × 2 tables on MedCalc (Version 19.1.6) to calculate test characteristics with 95% CI. RESULTS: Investigators performed 1314 POCUS examinations, diagnosing 21 Stanford type A and 23 Stanford type B AoD. Forty-one of the 44 cases had at least one of the aforementioned sonographic findings. The protocol has a sensitivity of 93.2% (95% CI 81.3-98.6), specificity of 90.9 (95% CI 89.2-92.5), positive and negative predictive values of 26.3% (95% CI 19.6-33.9) and 99.7% (95% CI 99.2-100), respectively, and an accuracy of 91% (95% CI 89.3-92.5). CONCLUSIONS: The SPEED protocol has an overall sensitivity of 93.2% for AoD.

Acute Epiglottitis Secondary to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Acute epiglottis is a rapidly progressive, potentially life-threatening infection causing inflammation of the epiglottis and adjacent supraglottic structures.- Since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine, the incidence of pediatric cases has decreased dramatically while adult instances have increased. Likewise, the etiology has changed considerably with the increasing prevalence of other causative bacterial and viral pathogens. CASE REPORT: We present a novel case of acute epiglottis secondary to infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This case report highlights the changing landscape of epiglottitis and the importance of airway assessment. CONCLUSION: Present-day epiglottitis differs greatly from our traditional understanding. Numerous etiologies beyond Haemophilus influenzae now afflict adults predominately. As a clinically significant, novel complication of coronavirus disease 2019, acute epiglottitis is a life-threatening airway emergency. Emergency physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion, especially given the evolving clinical landscape. Early airway assessment with nasopharyngolaryngoscopic is critical.

Ultrasound-versus landmark-guided medium-sized joint arthrocentesis: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Arthrocentesis is commonly performed in the emergency department, but success rates vary based on location. Presently, there is a paucity of data assessing the utility of ultrasound-guided (USG) medium-sized joint arthrocentesis. The objective of this study was to compare the success of USG and landmark-guided (LMG) medium-sized joint arthrocentesis. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized clinical trial (NCT03327584) of a convenience sample of adult patients who presented to an urban, university hospital with > 105,000 visits annually. Patients with a suspected medium-sized joint effusion (defined as elbow, wrist, or ankle) undergoing arthrocentesis were randomized into LMG or USG using the GE Logiq e linear transducer (4-10 MHz). The following patients were excluded: on anticoagulation, with soft tissue infection overlying the joint, or involving an artificial joint. Statistical analysis included the Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney U-test, and t-test. RESULTS: Overall, 44 patients were enrolled with 23 patients randomized into the LMG group and 21 patients into the USG arm. USG was significantly better than LMG with an overall success of 94.1% versus 60% for LMG (difference = 34.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.90 to 58.83). USG first-pass success was 82.4% versus 46.7% for LMG (difference = 35.7%, 95% CI = 2.76 to 60.37) and a mean of 1.35 attempts versus 2.00 for LMG (difference = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.005 to 1.296). Of the 14 LMG failures, eight had no effusion present on USG crossover. Four patients in the USG group had no effusion present. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance improved first-pass and overall successful arthrocentesis of medium-sized joint effusions.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of High Flow Priapism.

BACKGROUND: Priapism can be categorized as low flow or high flow. Low flow priapism is a compartment syndrome and requires immediate treatment to avoid long-term ischemic damage. Alternatively, high flow priapism is not an emergent condition and can be managed as an outpatient. The diagnosis has traditionally been made via cavernosal blood gas analysis; however, this is painful and can cause iatrogenic harm. CASE REPORT: We present a case of high flow priapism whereby point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) identified the presence of pulsatile cavernosal arterial flow to confirm the diagnosis. This is the first case report in the emergency medicine literature to highlight the utility of POCUS in the diagnosis and management of high flow priapism. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Low flow priapism accounts for 95% of cases and is a urologic emergency requiring immediate invasive intervention. High flow priapism is much less common and does not require emergent management. While blood gas analysis can differentiate between high and low flow priapism, POCUS is a rapid, noninvasive, accurate diagnostic means to identify the presence or absence of cavernosal pulsatile arterial flow.

Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of pediatric intussusception: a case series.

Intussusception is an intestinal emergency caused by the telescoping of proximal bowel into an adjacent distal bowel segment. Nearly 50% of cases are missed on initial presentation leading to an increased risk of intestinal obstruction, ischemia, and perforation. The authors present two cases of pediatric intussusception whereby point-of-care ultrasound expedited the diagnosis and treatment in a non-pediatric dedicated emergency department. Given the risks of an undiagnosed intussusception and its nonspecific presentations, a prompt and precise diagnosis remains crucial to its successful management. The ubiquity and accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound make it an ideal adjunct for the diagnosis of intussusception.

Lung Ultrasound vs. Chest X-Ray Study for the Radiographic Diagnosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia in a High-Prevalence Population.

BACKGROUND: The viral illness severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), more commonly known as Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), has become a global pandemic, infecting over 100 million individuals worldwide. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the test characteristics of point-of-care lung ultrasound (LUS) with chest x-ray study (CXR) at radiographically detecting COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, observational study at an urban university hospital with > 105,000 patient visits annually. Patients ≥ 18 years old, who presented to the Emergency Department with predefined signs and symptoms of COVID-19, were eligible for enrollment. Each patient received an LUS using a portable, handheld ultrasound followed by a single-view, portable anteroposterior CXR. Patients with an abnormal LUS or CXR underwent a non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan (NCCT). The primary outcome was the radiographic diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia on NCCT. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients underwent LUS, CXR, and NCCT; 99 LUS and 73 CXRs were interpreted as positive; 81 NCCTs were interpreted as positive, providing a prevalence of COVID-19 pneumonia of 75% (95% confidence interval [CI] 66-83.2) in our study population. LUS sensitivity was 97.6% (95% CI 91.6-99.7) vs. 69.9% (95% CI 58.8-79.5) for CXR. LUS specificity was 33.3% (95% CI 16.5-54) vs. 44.4% (95% CI 25.5-64.7) for CXR. LUS positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 81.8% (95% CI 72.8-88.9) and 81.8% (95% CI 48.2-97.7), respectively, vs. 79.5% (95% CI 68.4-88), and 32.4% (95% CI 18-49.8), respectively, for CXR. CONCLUSION: LUS was more sensitive than CXR at radiographically identifying COVID-19 pneumonia.

Utility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Emergency physicians are frequently required to identify and triage patients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a possible cause that must be considered. Its prognosis depends on prompt recognition and treatment, and progression of the disease can lead to permanent vision loss and considerable morbidity. Point-of-care ultrasound can rapidly identify elevated ICP. Measurements of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and optic disc elevation (ODE) can act as surrogates for ICP. CASE SERIES: We describe five cases in which ultrasound was used to identify increased ICP and aid clinical decision-making. In several of the cases, ultrasound was used to confirm a suspicion for IIH and initiate therapy while awaiting the results of a more time-consuming and technically challenging test, such as lumbar puncture or optical coherence tomography. One of the patients was pregnant, and sonographic evidence of elevated ICP helped avoid exposing the patient to unnecessary radiation. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Ultrasound is a quick and versatile tool for screening patients with neurologic symptoms, and when integrated into the proper clinical context, can reduce the use of more invasive tests. It can be particularly useful in patients with pathology that may not show abnormalities on computed tomography scan or in whom lumbar puncture is technically difficult, making patients at risk for IIH well-suited to examination by ultrasound. We use a cutoff of 5 mm for ONSD and 0.6 mm for ODE, though there are no universally agreed on cutoff values.

Ultrasound Guidance Versus Landmark-Guided Palpation for Radial Arterial Line Placement by Novice Emergency Medicine Interns: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: More than 10 million arterial lines are placed annually worldwide, many of which happen in the emergency department. Before the introduction of point-of-care ultrasound, landmark-guided palpation (LMGP) was considered standard of care. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare ultrasound-guided (USG) and LMGP of radial arterial line cannulation by novice emergency medicine interns. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial (NCT03326739) of a convenience sample of adult patients who presented to an urban, university hospital with 100,000 visits annually. There was no funding for this study. Patients who required an arterial line were blindly randomized into LMGP or USG groups. Only novice emergency medicine interns, defined as interns with <15 previous placements, who were not blinded, performed the cannulation. Statistical analyses included t and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled with 20 patients randomized to each group. USG had a first-pass success of 75% vs. 0% for LMGP (p < 0.00001) and an overall success of 100% vs. 15% for LMGP (p < 0.00001), a mean of 1.30 attempts vs. 2.95 attempts for LMGP (a difference of 1.65; p < 0.0001), and a mean time for placement of 264 s vs. 524 s for LMGP (a difference of 260; p = 0.0025). Of the failed LMGP, USG crossover was 100% successful with a mean of 1.37 attempts (95% confidence interval 0.58-2.16) and 180 s for placement (95% confidence interval 97.92-262.08). Five percent of LMGP had a complication vs. 0% for USG (p = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: USG improved first-pass and overall success of radial arterial line cannulation while reducing time to access and attempts when used by novice emergency medicine interns.

Evidence-Based Medicine Improves the Emergent Management of Peritonsillar Abscesses Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Physical examination for peritonsillar abscess (PTA) has limited sensitivity. Traditional management involves blind needle aspiration, which has a false negative rate of 10-24%. A randomized controlled trial by Costantino et al. demonstrated that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) improves PTA management. OBJECTIVES: Compare the use and impact of POCUS between patient cohorts prior to and after the trial by Costantino et al. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of adult patients diagnosed with PTA. Cohort 1 presented to the emergency department (ED) January 2007-December 2008. Cohort 2 presented between January 2013 and December 2014. Data were separated into those with POCUS vs. without ultrasound (NUS). Primary endpoint was POCUS utilization. Secondary endpoints were successful aspiration, otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat [ENT]) consultation, computed tomography (CT) imaging, unscheduled return visits, and length of stay (LOS). The Fisher's exact and t-tests analyzed data. RESULTS: Cohort 1 enrolled 48 patients, vs. 114 patients for cohort 2. Twelve patients in cohort 1 had a POCUS (25%) vs 89 in cohort 2 (78%) (p < 0.0001; odds ratio [OR] 0.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.20). Emergency physician (EP) successful aspiration: 89.1% POCUS vs. 24.5% NUS (p < 0.0001; OR 25 [95% CI 10-59]). Combined EP/ENT successful aspiration: 99.0% POCUS vs. 80.3% NUS (p < 0.0001; OR 24 [95% CI 3-193]). ENT consultation:12.9% POCUS vs. 65.6% NUS (p < 0.0001; OR 0.07 [95% CI 0.03-0.17]). CT usage: 23.8% POCUS vs. 37.7% NUS (p = 0.07; OR 0.51 [95% CI 0.25-1.02]). Return visits: 3.96% POCUS vs. 18.0% NUS (p = 0.004; OR 0.18 [95% CI 0.05-0.61]). CONCLUSION: POCUS use has increased for PTA treatment, improves aspiration, and decreases consultations, CTs, return visits, and LOS.