Mas Fazlin Mohd Jailaini, Mohd Jazman Che Rahim, Wan Aireene Wan Ahmed, Shaik Farid Abdull Wahab, Mohamed Faisal Abdul Hamid, Fahrin Zara Mohammad Nasseri
{"title":"The role of upper airway ultrasonography in tracheal necrosis diagnosis: a case report.","authors":"Mas Fazlin Mohd Jailaini, Mohd Jazman Che Rahim, Wan Aireene Wan Ahmed, Shaik Farid Abdull Wahab, Mohamed Faisal Abdul Hamid, Fahrin Zara Mohammad Nasseri","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00385-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00385-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tracheal necrosis post endotracheal intubation is a rare life-threatening disease that can compromise airway patency. We demonstrated a novel usage of upper airway ultrasonography (USG) to diagnose tracheal necrosis.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A middle-aged smoking male presented with productive cough, noisy breathing and exertional dyspnea for 2 weeks. He was intubated one month prior due to a traumatic brain injury. Upper airway USG findings showed irregular air-mucosal interface (AMI) and comet tail artefacts over the 1st and 2nd tracheal ring. A direct laryngoscopy in the operating room showed thick mucopus inferior to the vocal cords, with necrotic tracheal cartilages and debris obstructing the airway. He was successfully treated with parenteral antibiotics, wound debridement and tracheostomy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our case highlights the first documented USG findings of tracheal necrosis. Upper airway USG serves as a potential diagnostic modality in managing the condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11245455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Facilitators, barriers, and changes in POCUS use: longitudinal follow-up after participation in a national point-of-care ultrasound training course in Japan.","authors":"Toru Yamada, Nilam J Soni, Taro Minami, Yuka Kitano, Shumpei Yoshino, Suguru Mabuchi, Masayoshi Hashimoto","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00384-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00384-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>POCUS training courses are effective at improving knowledge and skills, but few studies have followed learners longitudinally post-course to understand facilitators, barriers, and changes in POCUS use in clinical practice. We conducted a prospective observational study of physicians who attended 11 standardized POCUS training courses between 2017 and 2019 in Japan. Physicians who attended a standardized POCUS course were surveyed about their current frequency of POCUS use of the heart, lung, abdomen, and lower extremity veins, and perceived barriers and facilitators to POCUS use in clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data were analyzed from 112 completed surveys (response rate = 20%). A majority of responding physicians were faculty (77%) in internal medicine (69%) affiliated with community hospitals (55%). The mean delay between course attendance and survey response was 50.3 months. A significant increase in POCUS use from < 1 to ≥ 1 time per week was seen for all organ systems after 50 months post-course (p < 0.01). Approximately half of course participants reported an increase in the frequency of cardiac (61%), lung (53%), vascular (44%), and abdominal (50%) ultrasound use. General facilitators of POCUS use were easy access to ultrasound machines (63%), having a colleague with whom to learn POCUS (47%), and adequate departmental support (46%). General barriers included lack of opportunities for POCUS training (47%), poor access to ultrasound machines (38%), and limited time for POCUS training (33%). In the group with increased POCUS usage, specific facilitators reported were enhanced POCUS knowledge, improved image acquisition skills, and greater self-confidence in performing POCUS. Conversely, the group without increased POCUS usage reported lack of supervising physicians, low confidence, and insufficient training opportunities as specific barriers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Approximately half of physicians reported an increase in cardiac, lung, vascular, and abdominal POCUS use > 4 years after attending a POCUS training course. In addition to improving access to ultrasound machines and training opportunities, a supportive local clinical environment, including colleagues to share experiences in learning POCUS and local experts to supervise scanning, is important to foster ongoing POCUS practice and implementation into clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11231124/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141555584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David Rene Rodriguez Lima, Laura Otálora González, Felipe Noriega Acosta
{"title":"Off-plane technique ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis via anterior approach: short communication.","authors":"David Rene Rodriguez Lima, Laura Otálora González, Felipe Noriega Acosta","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00383-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00383-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The pericardiocentesis procedure is common, often performed via the subxiphoid approach, although other transthoracic approaches have been described. This short communication describes an off-plane technique ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis using an anterior approach, performed using a linear transducer and guided in real-time by ultrasound, offering the advantage of continuous needle tracking to reduce complications associated with this approach such as pneumothorax, inadvertent cardiac puncture, and injury to the left internal mammary artery (LIMA).</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11196483/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141443413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrea Cheng, Justin Zhou, Chun Hei Ryan Chan, Connie Chen, Charlotte Cheng, Kaitlyn Storm, Anson Zhou, Alan Mao, Won Jun Kuk, Tiffany C Fong, Ignacio Villagran, Constanza Miranda
{"title":"A do it yourself (DIY) point-of-care wrist ultrasound phantom for joint access training.","authors":"Andrea Cheng, Justin Zhou, Chun Hei Ryan Chan, Connie Chen, Charlotte Cheng, Kaitlyn Storm, Anson Zhou, Alan Mao, Won Jun Kuk, Tiffany C Fong, Ignacio Villagran, Constanza Miranda","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00374-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00374-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Joint access is essential for arthrocentesis, or joint aspiration of fluids. Joint treatments that are not performed properly can result in avoidable patient issues such as damage to the muscles, tendons, and blood vessels surrounding the joint. The use of ultrasound has become the gold standard for this procedure and proven to be a support in the skill learning process. However, success with this equipment, particularly in small joints like the wrist, depends on a clinician's capacity to recognize the crucial landmarks that guide these procedures. Prior to executing on a real patient, task trainers have proven to be an effective way for doctors to practice and prepare for procedures. However, shortcomings of current solutions include high purchase costs, incompatibility with ultrasound imaging, and low reusability. In addition, since this is a procedure that is not performed frequently, there may not be space or resources available in healthcare facilities to accommodate one at the point of care. This study aimed to close the existing gap by developing a DIY ultrasound compatible task trainer for wrist joint access training.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We developed a novel ultrasound compatible wrist joint model that can be made from sustainable materials and reusable parts, thus reducing the costs for acquisition and environmental impact. Our model, which was produced utilizing small-batch production methods, is made up of 3D-printed bones enclosed in an ultrasound-compatible gelatin mixture. It can be easily remade after each practice session, removing needle tracks that are visible under ultrasound for conventional phantoms. The ultrasonic properties of this model were tested through pixel brightness analysis and visual inspection of simulated anatomical structures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results report the advantages and limitations of the proposed model regarding production, practice, and ultrasound compatibility. While future work entails the transfer to patients of the same skill, this reusable and replicable model has proven, when presented to experts, to be successful in representing the physical characteristics and ultrasound profile of significant anatomical structures. This novel DIY product could be an effective alternative to teach procedures in the context of resource-restrained clinical simulation centers.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11178702/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141318479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shirley Lake, Ryan Brydges, Chris Penney, Diane Wilson, Raquel Sweezie, Maria Bagovich, David Bong, Susan Barr, Lynfa Stroud
{"title":"Online vs in-person musculoskeletal ultrasound course: a cohort comparison study.","authors":"Shirley Lake, Ryan Brydges, Chris Penney, Diane Wilson, Raquel Sweezie, Maria Bagovich, David Bong, Susan Barr, Lynfa Stroud","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00375-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00375-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Point-of-care musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound (US) courses are typically held in-person. The COVID-19 pandemic guidelines forced courses to switch to online delivery. To determine this impact, we conducted an observational cohort study, comparing homework completion and image quality between an Online and a historical In-person cohort.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The In-person (n = 27) and Online (n = 24) cohorts attended two learning sessions spaced six months apart. The course content was the same, while the process of delivery differed. As homework, participants submitted US images biweekly for up to five months after each session. Expert faculty provided written feedback to all participants, and two independent reviewers rated the image quality for a subset of participants in each group who had completed at least 70% of their homework (In-person, n = 9; Online, n = 9). Participants self-reported their satisfaction through post-course evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>63% of In-Person and 71% of Online cohort participants submitted their homework images. We observed no differences in the mean amount of homework images submitted for In-person (M = 37.3%, SD = 42.6%) and Online cohorts (M = 48.1%, SD = 38.8%; p > 0.05, Mann-Whitney U Test). At course end, the cohorts did not differ in overall image quality (p > 0.05, Wilcoxon Signed-rank Test). All participants reported high levels of satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A convenience sample of participants attending a basic MSK US course in-person and online did not differ statistically in homework completion, quality of submitted US images, or course satisfaction. We add to literature suggesting online learning remains a viable option post-pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11143147/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141180108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edith Elianna Rodríguez Aparicio, David Fernando Almanza Hernández, Cristhian Rubio Ramos, María Paula Moreno Knudsen, David Rene Rodriguez Lima
{"title":"Correlation between the radial artery resistance index and the systemic vascular resistance index: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Edith Elianna Rodríguez Aparicio, David Fernando Almanza Hernández, Cristhian Rubio Ramos, María Paula Moreno Knudsen, David Rene Rodriguez Lima","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00379-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00379-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Ultrasound measurement of the radial resistance index (RRI) in the anatomical snuffbox has been proposed as a useful method for assessing the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI). This study aims to establish the correlation between SVRI measured by pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and RRI.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study included all consecutive patients undergoing postoperative (POP) cardiac surgery with hemodynamic monitoring using PAC. Hemodynamic assessment was performed using PAC, and RRI was measured with ultrasound in the anatomical snuffbox. The Pearson correlation test was used to establish the correlation between RRI and SVRI measured using PAC. Hemodynamic behavior concerning RRI with a cutoff point of 1.1 (described to estimate under SVRI) was examined. Additionally, consistency between two evaluators was assessed for RRI using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 35 measurements were obtained. The average cardiac index (CI) was 2.73 ± 0.64 L/min/m², and the average SVRI was 1967.47 ± 478.33 dyn·s·m²/cm<sup>5</sup>. The correlation between RRI and SVRI measured using PAC was 0.37 [95% CI 0.045-0.62]. The average RRI was 0.94 ± 0.11. RRI measurements > 1.1 had a mean SVRI of 2120.79 ± 673.48 dyn·s·m²/cm<sup>5</sup>, while RRI measurements ≤ 1.1 had a mean SVRI of 1953.1 ± 468.17 dyn·s·m²/cm<sup>5</sup> (p = 0.62). The consistency between evaluators showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 [95% CI 0.78-0.93], and Bland-Altman analysis illustrated adequate agreement of RRI evaluators.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>For patients in cardiac surgery POP, the correlation between the SVRI measured using PAC and the RRI measured in the anatomical snuffbox is low. Using the RRI as a SVRI estimator for patients is not recommended in this clinical scenario.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11130094/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141155794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical research on point-of-care lung ultrasound: misconceptions and limitations.","authors":"Giovanni Volpicelli, Serena Rovida","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00368-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00368-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the last 20 years, advances in point-of-care lung ultrasound (PoCLUS) have been consistent. The clinical application of PoCLUS has drastically changed the diagnosis of some respiratory conditions mainly in the acute setting. Despite these improvements, misconceptions regarding the current scientific evidence and errors in the direction given to the latest research are delaying the implementation of PoCLUS in the clinical field. The diagnostic power of PoCLUS is still under-evaluated in many settings and there is a generalized yet unjustified feeling that further evidence is needed before introducing PoCLUS as a standard of care. In the effort to build up further evidence by new studies, the role of randomized clinical trials is over-emphasized and gold standards used to investigate diagnostic accuracy of PoCLUS are sometimes not appropriate. Moreover, the sonographic patterns and techniques used to confirm the diagnoses not always are adapted to the patients' clinical condition, which limit the scientific value of those clinical studies. Finally, there is a recurrent confusion in the role of PoCLUS scoring techniques, which should be only applied to quantify and monitor injury severity and not to diagnose lung diseases. Awareness of these misconceptions and errors could help the researchers when approaching new study projects on PoCLUS.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11087399/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140904777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) cannula malposition identified with point-of-care ultrasound.","authors":"Taylor Becker, Roger D Struble, Charles Rappaport","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00357-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00357-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become a mainstay in the evaluation of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). ECMO patients are susceptible to complications during prolonged ICU stay, including cannula malposition, which has deleterious consequences. Although the literature surrounding utility of ultrasound on ECMO patients is expansive, direct comparison between radiographic imaging versus ultrasound for identification of cannula malposition is lacking.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>The authors identified four patients with cannula malposition discovered through POCUS that was missed on routine radiographic imaging. Identification and correction of malposition changed their ECMO course.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case series is the first in literature demonstrating that ultrasound may be superior to radiographic images for ECMO cannula malposition. Further investigation into this subject is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11078911/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140877597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Valentino Dammassa, Costanza Natalia Julia Colombo, Massimo Erba, Fabio Ciarrocchi, Michele Pagani, Susanna Price, Francesco Mojoli, Guido Tavazzi
{"title":"Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular performance in COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome: the importance of systo-diastolic interaction.","authors":"Valentino Dammassa, Costanza Natalia Julia Colombo, Massimo Erba, Fabio Ciarrocchi, Michele Pagani, Susanna Price, Francesco Mojoli, Guido Tavazzi","doi":"10.1186/s13089-024-00366-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13089-024-00366-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 have been described in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). The presence and impact of right ventricular (RV) diastolic function and performance has not been studied in this population yet. We describe the prevalence of RV diastolic dysfunction, assessed by the pulmonary valve pre-ejection A wave (PV A wave), and the RV systo-diastolic interaction, using the RV total isovolumic time (t-IVT), in COVID-19 ARDS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Prospective observational study enrolling patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 ARDS admitted to ICU who underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram within 24 h of ICU admission and at least a second one during the ICU stay. Respiratory, hemodynamic and biochemistry parameters were collected. 163 patients (age 61.0 ± 9.3 years, 72% males) were enrolled. 36 patients (22.1%) had RV dysfunction, 45 (27.1%) LV systolic dysfunction. 73 patients (44.7%) had PV A wave. The RV t-IVT correlated with TAPSE at ICU admission (p < 0.002; r - 0.61), presence of PV A wave (p < 0.001; r 0.78), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) (p < 0.001; r 0.42), PEEP (p < 0.001; r 0.68), dynamic driving pressure (DDP) (p < 0.001; r 0.58), and PaO<sub>2</sub>/FiO<sub>2</sub> ratio (p < 0.01; r - 0.35). The presence of PV A wave was associated with higher PIP (p < 0.001; r 0.45), higher PEEP (p < 0.001; r 0.56), higher DDP (p < 0.01, r 0.51), and lower PaO<sub>2</sub>/FiO<sub>2</sub> ratio (p < 0.001; r - 0.49).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>RV t-IVT and the presence of PV A wave are non-invasive means to describe a significant RV diastolic dysfunction and may be consider descriptive signs of RV performance in COVID-19 ARDS.</p>","PeriodicalId":36911,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076422/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140866721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}