Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
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To investigate the value of 2-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography for assessing right ventricular (RV) systolic function in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD) and the correlation of its parameters with the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ⋯ The ability of speckle-tracking echocardiography to directly monitor RV myocardial function may allow early sensitive detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with CPHD, with better risk stratification and timely institution of therapy.
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Point-of-care ultrasound is a valuable tool with potential to expedite diagnoses and improve patient outcomes in the emergency department. However, little is known about national patterns of adoption. This study examined nationwide point-of-care ultrasound reimbursement among emergency medicine (EM) practitioners and examined regional and practitioner level variations. ⋯ A small minority of EM practitioners received reimbursements for point-of-care ultrasound from Medicare beneficiaries. These practitioners were more likely to reside in urban and academic settings. Future efforts should assess the degree to which our findings reflect either low point-of-care ultrasound use or low rates of billing for ultrasound examinations that are performed.
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The aim of this study was to explore the sonographic and elastographic properties of patellar and Achilles tendons in smoking and nonsmoking otherwise healthy adults. ⋯ Thickness and strain ratio measurements of patellar and Achilles tendons were reduced (thinner and harder tendons) in smokers. Clinical implications of these morphologic and elastographic changes should be investigated in future studies.
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Observational Study
Effectiveness and Validity of Sonographic Upper Airway Evaluation to Predict Difficult Laryngoscopy.
Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of 9 airway sonographic parameters imaged from the submandibular view as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the validity of the models of combined sonographic and clinical tests in predicting difficult laryngoscopy. ⋯ Sonographic predictors may help identify patients with difficult laryngoscopy. Individual measures have unsatisfactory diagnostic profiles. The models based on combined tests have improved diagnostic value.
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Case Reports
Epipericardial Fat Necrosis: Sonographic Findings and Their Correlation With Computed Tomography.
Epipericardial fat necrosis is a rare cause of chest pain. It presents as pleuritic pain in an otherwise healthy patient. ⋯ We report 4 cases admitted to our institutional emergency department with chest pain. Among other tests, chest wall sonography was requested in these patients and showed special findings that should be evaluated with chest computed tomography.