Use of point-of-care ultrasound in abdominal pain diagnostics in a paediatric patient

Abstract

Introduction The use of ultrasonography (USG) is no longer restricted to the radiology department. It is becoming the equivalent of a stethoscope. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an USG examination method designed to answer specific clinical questions. Aim To encourage doctors to use POCUS in their everyday practice based on a presentation of its use in diagnostics of acute appendicitis in the paediatric patient. Material and methods A retrospective evaluation was performed of 95 cases of abdominal pain referred by a paediatrician for surgical assessment at emergency department between November 2021 and October 2022. The assessment included a clinical examination supplemented with POCUS. Based on the assessment made by the emergency department doctor, the patients were divided into two groups – those who did not require hospitalisation in the paediatric surgery department (group 1) and those who did (group 2). Each group was subsequently divided into subgroup A, where no abdominal cavity USG was performed by a radiologist and subgroup B, where the patients were examined by a radiologist. Results and discussion The use of POCUS in the context of clinical symptoms allows for achieving the same degree of detectability as in an examination performed by a radiologist. A positive result of POCUS or clinical symptoms indicative of acute appendicitis requires continuing the diagnostic process. Conclusions The application of USG in abdominal pain diagnostics in a paediatric patient helps to reduce the time needed for the correct diagnosis and, in consequence, for the patient's treatment. Due to its availability, USG should be widely used to supplement clinical examination by each physician.