Diagnostic Applications of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

The Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units: A Descriptive Study From Turkey

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to evaluate the current status of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), perceptions, education, training, and barriers to using POCUS in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Turkey.

METHODS

A descriptive, multicenter, cross-sectional study through an online survey was developed using the REDCap online platform. The survey was distributed through the Turkish Society of Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care e-mail group. Each survey was answered only once by each PED/PICU and by the clinical chief of the department.

RESULTS

A total of 19 PEDs and 26 PICUs responded to the survey. Among them, 84.2% of PEDs and 100% of PICUs reported the clinical use of POCUS. For diagnostic applications, the most common areas for PEDs and PICUs were thoracic (93.7%/100%) and cardiovascular (62.5%/65.4%) assessment, and in the procedural use of POCUS, the most frequent applications were those for vascular access (75.0%/92.3%) and thoracentesis (31.2%/65.4%). The most commonly reported clinical benefits were rapid diagnosis, rapid treatment, and decreased complications during procedural applications for PEDs and PICUs. Evaluating the barriers to POCUS use in PEDs and PICUs, the most common reasons for insufficient use were the lack of ultrasound machines and/or equipment, a shortage of manpower, lack of awareness, and lack of training. For PEDs (68.4%) and for PICUs (84.6%), participants agreed that POCUS training should be mandatory during fellowship programs.

CONCLUSIONS

Most participants were aware of the need for POCUS. However, lack of education, equipment, manpower, and infrastructure still emerged as barriers to the use of POCUS. To further promote POCUS use, it would be helpful to improve accessibility by ensuring sufficient numbers of ultrasound devices together with sufficient numbers of appointed physicians and by expanding POCUS education in PEDs and PICUs.

Continuing professional development for primary care physicians: a pre-post study on lung point-of-care ultrasound curriculum

BACKGROUND

Point-of-care ultrasound is rapidly gaining traction in clinical practice, including primary care. Yet, logistical challenges and geographical isolation hinder skill acquisition. Concurrently, an evidentiary gap exists concerning such guidance's effectiveness and optimal implementation in these settings.

METHODS

We developed a lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum for primary care physicians in a rural, medically underserved region of the south of Israel. The course included recorded lectures, pre-course assessments, hands-on training, post-workshop lectures, and individual practice. To evaluate our course, we measured learning outcomes and physicians' proficiency in different lung POCUS domains using hands-on technique assessment and gathered feedback on the course with a multi-modal perception approach: an original written pre- and post-perception and usage questionnaire.

RESULTS

Fifty primary care physicians (PCPs) showed significant improvement in hands-on skills, increasing from 6 to 76% proficiency (p < 0.001), and in identifying normal versus abnormal views, improving from 54 to 74% accuracy (p < 0.001). Ten weeks after training, primary care physicians reported greater comfort using lung ultrasound, rising from 10 to 54% (p < 0.001), and improved grasp of its potential and limits, increasing from 27.5% to 84% (p < 0.001). Weekly usage increased from none to 50%, and the number of primary care physicians not using at all decreased from 72 to 26% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A two-day focused in-person and remote self-learning lung-POCUS training significantly improved primary care physicians' lung ultrasound skills, comfort, and implementation.

Predictive Factors of Acute Appendicitis in Children With Non-Visualized Appendix on Ultrasound: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Most studies have demonstrated the high accuracy of ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) in children. However, the lack of visualization of the appendix on ultrasound is usually a challenge. The aim of this study was to identify any factors that might help the physician make the right decision when dealing with a child with suspected appendicitis and an appendix not seen on ultrasound. Patients and Methods: After receiving Institutional Review Board approval, we conducted a prospective study in a pediatric emergency department from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. All children under 14 years of age with suspected AA and an appendix not visualized on ultrasound were included. Results: During the study period, 333 children presented with suspected AA. Of these patients, 106 had an appendix not seen on ultrasound. Our patients' median age was 10 years (interquartile range [IQR], 8-11 years), with 54.7% (n = 58) of children being female. Twenty-five (23.6%) were ultimately diagnosed with AA based on pathologic examination. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that Alvarado score ≥6 and increased peri-appendiceal fat echogenicity were predictive for AA. The combination of these two factors provided a positive predictive value of 100%. A white blood cell (WBC) count ≤10 × 109/L and/or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level ≤6 mg/L makes the diagnosis of appendicitis unlikely. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study demonstrated that an Alvarado score at or above six and increased peri-appendiceal fat echogenicity are independent predictive factors of AA in children with non-visualized appendix on ultrasound. The combination of these two factors would confirm the diagnosis of AA in these patients.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Testicular Torsion: A Retrospective Case Series Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Acute testicular torsion is a surgical emergency that warrants prompt treatment. The diagnosis is typically confirmed by ultrasonography interpreted by a radiologist (RADUS); however, in this study, we describe the clinical course of 23 patients for whom point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was performed by pediatric emergency medicine physicians during the initial assessment for testicular torsion in the pediatric emergency department (PED).

METHODS

A retrospective case series analysis of patients aged 0 to 18 years who were diagnosed with acute testicular torsion after undergoing scrotal POCUS through our PED.

RESULTS

Between June 2015 and December 2020, 155 boys received an International Classification of Diseases-9 code of Torsion of Testis after presenting to our PED. Seventy-three patients were imaged preoperatively, of which 50 (68.5%) were diagnosed via RADUS alone. Twenty-three patients (31.5%) underwent POCUS (median age 14.1 years [interquartile range {IQR}: 11.4-15.9 years]), of which 14 (60.9%) were imaged by POCUS alone, whereas the remaining 9 patients (39.1%) underwent POCUS before RADUS. Thirteen of the 23 patients (56.5%) who underwent POCUS had intraoperative findings consistent with acute testicular torsion, whereas another 3 patients (13.0%) required manual detorsion in the PED before orchiopexy. Six patients required orchiectomy. All patients for which POCUS findings were suggestive of acute testicular torsion were correctly classified.The median length of stay from time to admission to orchiopexy for those who received RADUS only versus POCUS only was 184 minutes (IQR: 136-255), and 121 minutes (IQR: 80-202), respectively ( P = 0.036). Among the patients who experienced POCUS, the median length of stay for those who underwent RADUS in addition to POCUS compared with those who underwent POCUS alone was 202 minutes (IQR: 136-338.4) ( P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Point-of-care ultrasound performed by pediatric emergency medicine physicians can be used to expedite surgical management and streamline the management of pediatric patients suspected of acute testicular torsion.

Neonatal POCUS: Embracing our modern day "stethoscope"

The dramatic technologic advancements seen in ultrasound have accelerated the growth of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in medicine. Neonatology has lagged behind other pediatric and adult specialties in incorporating POCUS into clinical practice despite there being numerous applications in cardiac and non-cardiac arenas. Widely available training programs are aiding in improving this situation but significantly more structure and orchestration for neonatal POCUS dissemination will be needed to fully actualize the potential for POCUS to augment its widespread clinical application.

Development of a Consensus-Based Definition of Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma in Children

Importance

The wide variation in the accuracy and reliability of the Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma (FAST) and the extended FAST (E-FAST) for children after blunt abdominal trauma reflects user expertise. FAST and E-FAST that are performed by experts tend to be more complete, better quality, and more often clinically valuable.

Objective

To develop definitions of a complete, high-quality, and accurate interpretation for the FAST and E-FAST in children with injury using an expert, consensus-based modified Delphi technique.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This consensus-based qualitative study was conducted between May 1 to June 30, 2021. It used a scoping review and iterative Delphi technique and involved 2 rounds of online surveys and a live webinar to achieve consensus among a 26-member panel. This panel consisted of international experts in pediatric emergency point-of-care ultrasonography.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Definitions of complete, high-quality, and accurate FAST and E-FAST studies for children after injury.

Results

Of the 29 invited pediatric FAST experts, 26 (15 men [58%]) agreed to participate in the panel. All 26 panelists completed the 2 rounds of surveys, and 24 (92%) participated in the live and asynchronous online discussions. Consensus was reached on FAST and E-FAST study definitions, and the panelists rated these 5 anatomic views as important and appropriate for a complete FAST: right upper-quadrant abdominal view, left upper-quadrant abdominal view, suprapubic views (transverse and sagittal), and subxiphoid cardiac view. For E-FAST, the same FAST anatomic views with the addition of the lung or pneumothorax view were deemed appropriate and important. In addition, the panelists rated a total of 32 landmarks as important for assessing completeness. Similarly, the panelists rated 14 statements on quality and 20 statements on accurate interpretation as appropriate.

Conclusions and Relevance

This qualitative study generated definitions for complete FAST and E-FAST studies with high image quality and accurate interpretation in children with injury. These definitions are similar to those in adults with injury and may be used for future education, quality assurance, and research. Future research may focus on interpretation of trace volumes of abdominal free fluid and the use of serial FAST.