Serial Trauma Abdominal Ultrasound in Children (STAUNCH): A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound has established utility within pediatric emergency medicine and has an added benefit of avoiding excessive radiation exposure. The serial focused assessment with sonography in trauma (sFAST) examination is a potential alternative to improve pediatric trauma evaluation. We sought to evaluate the accuracy of sFAST in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter, retrospective observational study of electronic medical records, trauma registry data, and image archiving records of previous sFAST examinations. Examinations from pediatric patients (18 years or younger) who presented to an emergency department with blunt abdominal trauma were eligible for inclusion as long as the period between the first and second FAST was at least 30 minutes but no more than 24 hours. Demographic data and patient and outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

Data collected from 3 institutions found a total of 38 sFAST performed between July 2017 and September 2021 on eligible patients. Of these, there were 6 (15.4%) FAST examinations that were positive after an initial negative or indeterminate interpretation. The overall sensitivity and specificity of sFAST were 66.7% (95% confidence interval 22.3-95.7%) and 93.8% (79.2-99.3%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study found that sFAST can enhance blunt trauma evaluation and improve sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy. More data are needed to determine how sFAST can be utilized in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Emergency Department Point-of-care Ultrasound Identification of Suspected Lemierre's Syndrome: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Lemierre's syndrome is septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, most commonly associated with head and neck infections. While central catheters are associated with venous thromboembolism and catheter-associated bacterial infections, cases of Lemierre's syndrome caused by central catheters are extraordinarily rare.

CASE REPORT

We detail a case of Lemierre's syndrome resulting from a peripherally inserted central catheter in a pregnant female patient. Diagnosis of this rare and potentially life-threatening disease process was expedited using point-of-care ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of rare but potentially life- or limb-threatening pathologies is paramount to the successful practice of emergency medicine. Identifying these rare disease processes requires a high index of suspicion and a work-up strategy that includes consideration of medical history in combination with lab and imaging findings to determine appropriate interventions.

Safety and Efficacy of Low-Dose Versus High-Dose Parenteral Ketorolac for Acute Pain Relief in Patients 65 Years and Older in the Emergency Department

Background There is limited data surrounding acute pain management in elderly ED patients. Ketorolac is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with dose/duration-dependent side effects. There is evidence that an analgesic ceiling effect exists for parenteral ketorolac doses greater than 10 milligrams (mg); however, this has not been studied in patients 65 years and older. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of ED patients 65 years and older who received at least one dose of parenteral ketorolac. Patients were separated into two cohorts based on the ketorolac dose received: 15 mg IV or 30 mg intramuscular (IM) and 30 mg IV or 60 mg IM. The primary objective was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of parenteral ketorolac doses measured as needing rescue analgesia from 30 minutes to 2 hours after ketorolac administration. Secondary objectives included changes in pain scores and the occurrence of adverse drug events commonly associated with ketorolac. Results Two-hundred and sixty patients received ketorolac doses of 15 mg IV or 30 mg IM, and 52 received 30 mg IV or 60 mg IM. The primary outcome occurred in seven of 52 patients who received ketorolac 30 mg IV or 60 mg IM and 17 of 260 patients who received ketorolac 15 mg IV or 30 mg IM (13.5% vs. 6.5%, p=0094; OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 0.87-5.67). The average change in pain scores were 2.9 (±3.1) and 2.8 (±2.9) for patients who received doses 30 mg IV or 60 mg IM compared to doses 15 mg IV or 30 mg IM, respectively (p=0.154). The occurrence of adverse events was low in both groups. Conclusion Parenteral ketorolac doses of 15 mg IV or 30 mg IM did not demonstrate a greater need for rescue analgesia compared to doses of 30 mg IV or 60 mg IM.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Ventricular Septal Rupture Post Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but life-threatening complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a rapid, noninvasive imaging modality that is easily accessible and highly effective in diagnosing VSR in the emergency department (ED) setting.

CASE REPORT

A 73-year-old man with a history of type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with complaints of intermittent chest pain for 48 h that had since become constant, associated with diaphoresis and shortness of breath. Physical examination was notable for shock and a new, grade V/VI systolic murmur. An electrocardiogram showed evidence of an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) with associated Q waves. POCUS revealed a large ventricular septal rupture with new ventricular septal defect and associated left-to-right shunting. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: POCUS in the ED setting is an effective and rapid tool for elucidating the etiology of various shock states. Emergency physicians should be aware of this particular case, as POCUS may help identify MI-related complications, including post-myocardial infarction VSR, that may necessitate surgical intervention as opposed to coronary reperfusion procedures.

Language of transducer manipulation 2.0: continuing to codify terms for effective teaching

OBJECTIVES

Accurate communication is an integral component of ultrasound education. In light of the recent global pandemic, this has become even more crucial as many have moved to virtual education out of necessity. Several studies and publications have sought to establish common terminology for cardinal ultrasound probe motions. To date, no studies have been performed to determine which of these terms have been adopted by the ultrasound community at large.

METHODS

A survey was developed which asked respondents to describe videos of six common probe motions in addition to providing basic demographic and training data. The survey was disseminated electronically across various academic listservs and open access resources.

RESULTS

Data were collected over a 6-week period and yielded 418 unique responses. Responses demonstrated significant variation in terminology related to all 6 cardinal probe motions. While some degree of difference in response can be accounted for by discipline of training, inter-group variation still exists in terminology to describe common probe motions. Of the survey respondents, 57.5% felt that inconsistent probe motion terminology made teaching ultrasound more difficult.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that despite efforts to codify probe motions, variation still exists between ultrasound practitioners and educators in the description of cardinal probe motions. This lack of consensus can contribute to challenges in both virtual and in-person ultrasound education.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Findings in a Case of Orbital Cellulitis: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Ophthalmologic complaints are common in the emergency department. The utility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as an accessible, noninvasive modality to evaluate ocular pathology is of great value-particularly in settings where resources are limited or where ophthalmologic consultation may not be readily available.

CASE REPORT

A 21-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with periorbital edema, erythema, and drainage that was worsening despite topical and oral antimicrobial therapy. Mild proptosis was present on examination. POCUS was performed to investigate her symptoms further. A modified ocular ultrasound revealed prominence and edema of the retro-orbital soft tissue with echogenic fat, consistent with the diagnosis of orbital cellulitis. These findings were corroborated with computed tomography imaging. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?: Few reports describe the utility of POCUS in evaluating patients for orbital cellulitis. This case emphasizes the value of POCUS in assessing patients presenting to the emergency department with ocular complaints and demonstrates ultrasound-specific findings that may lead the clinician toward the diagnosis of orbital cellulitis. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.

Ureteral Stone Mimics Appendicitis: A Point-of-care Ultrasound Case Report

Introduction

Abdominal pain is a common complaint in the emergency department. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a rapid modality to evaluate for the etiology.

Case Report

A teenage male presented with symptoms concerning for appendicitis. POCUS revealed a non-peristalsing, non-compressible, tubular structure containing an echogenic stone. This was determined to be a ureteral stone within a dilated ureter, not appendicitis.

Conclusion

We propose a syndromic sonographic approach to right lower quadrant pain (RLQ) that includes the gallbladder, right kidney, bladder, and right adnexa, in addition to RLQ landmarks. This case emphasizes the value of such an approach to avoid diagnostic error.

The Value of Sonography Education Faculty in an Academic Emergency Ultrasound Program

Within the West Virginia University (WVU) Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM), education related to point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been under the jurisdiction of the POCUS director in the emergency department. To facilitate sonography education and extend the capabilities of the POCUS director, a dedicated sonography education faculty member (SEFM) was hired. A SEFM is an experienced sonographer who brings technical knowledge, experience, and pedagogical skills. In addition, the SEFM is able to assist with administrative and operational aspects of a POCUS program, including image archival, disinfection protocols, and quality guidelines. From the sonographer’s prospective, the position has been challenging and fulfilling, and there remain countless opportunities for growth. From the POCUS director’s perspective, the SEFM has been instrumental in strengthening the residency program and other educational offerings.

MitraClip-Associated Endocarditis: Emergency Department Diagnosis With Point of Care Ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Management of mitral valve regurgitation in patients with multiple comorbidities is complicated because of poor surgical candidacy. Less invasive techniques for these patients include the MitraClip device, an endovascular repair option used to reduce mitral valve regurgitation symptoms. However, complications include leaflet damage, stenosis, and infectious endocarditis.

CASE REPORT

Four years after MitraClip placement, an 80-year-old man presented to the emergency department with progressive dyspnea. He was diagnosed with MitraClip-associated infectious endocarditis by the emergency physician using point-of-care ultrasound. There are 6 reported cases of infective endocarditis in patients with MitraClip devices, with this being the first case identified using point-of-care ultrasound. This is also the first reported case of MitraClip-associated Corynebacterium endocarditis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The use of the MitraClip device and its echocardiographic appearance is not widely described in the published emergency medicine literature. Knowledge of this device, its appearance, and the potential complications is essential for emergency physicians caring for these patients. Rapid diagnosis may lead to earlier initiation of treatment and optimal disposition for these complex patients.