Ultrasound evaluation of Kennedy terminal ulcer: case study.

Abstract

Background: Kennedy terminal ulcers (KTUs) are skin lesions that occur during the final stages of a person's life. Their incidence is mainly recorded in patients receiving oncological palliative care, with no reported incidence in cardiology patients. There are no records in the scientific literature of ultrasound evaluations of KTUs.

Aims: To present a case report of an ultrasound evaluation of a KTU in a patient from a cardiology intensive care unit.

Method: The case study was conducted in March 2024 at a cardiology intensive care unit in Southeast Brazil.

Results: The ultrasound revealed mild oedema in the subcutaneous tissue of the perilesional skin and a cobblestone-like appearance with less lobulation because of slight oedema in the lesion bed. Both areas exhibited absence of flow on Doppler ultrasound.

Conclusions: To the authors' knowledge, this the first record of an ultrasound evaluation of a KTU. A larger case series of reports similar to this study may contribute to the understanding of KTUs and aid differential assessments regarding pressure injuries.

Implications for practice: Studies like this can contribute to the understanding of the development process of KTUs and how they correlate with the dying process.