• Matthew Fentress, Thomas F Heyne, Keith R Barron, and Neil Jayasekera.
• From the Departments of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, Martinez, California, the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, and Department of Internal Medicine, Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group, Columbia, South Carolina.
• South. Med. J. 2018 Jul 1; 111 (7): 424-433.

AbstractPoint-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is used increasingly in resource-limited settings (RLSs), particularly as inexpensive ultrasound machines and evidence-based protocols become more available. POCUS often is the only imaging modality available in such settings, and it has the potential to significantly affect patient care. This article discusses four case-based reviews of POCUS in RLSs for several common diseases: pediatric pneumonia; extrapulmonary tuberculosis; ectopic pregnancy; and tropical parasitic diseases, including echinococcus, schistosomiasis, and amebiasis. It concludes with a discussion of the logistical considerations specific to implementing POCUS in RLSs, particularly equipment and training. The literature reviewed suggests that POCUS has the potential to improve the diagnosis and management of multiple conditions in RLSs, although further research is needed.

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