Journal of ultrasound
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Journal of ultrasound · Jun 2015
Feasibility of common carotid artery point of care ultrasound in cardiac output measurements compared to invasive methods.
Cardiac output (CO) measurement in the intensive care unit (ICU) requires invasive devices such as the pulmonary artery (PA) catheter or arterial waveform pulse contour analysis (PCA). This study tests the accuracy and feasibility of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) of the common carotid artery to estimate the CO non-invasively and compare it to existing invasive CO measurement modalities. ⋯ Common carotid artery POCUS offers a non-invasive method of measuring the CO in the critically ill population.
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Journal of ultrasound · Dec 2012
Ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma in chronic Achilles and patellar tendinopathy.
The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment and healing of chronic tendinopathy through stimulation of cell proliferation and total collagen production has been demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided autologous PRP injections in patellar and Achilles tendinopathy. ⋯ PRP injection in patellar and Achilles tendinopathy results in a significant and lasting improvement of clinical symptoms and leads to recovery of the tendon matrix potentially helping to prevent degenerative lesions. US-guidance allows PRP injection into the tendon with great accuracy.
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Journal of ultrasound · Sep 2011
US in the evaluation of abdominal pain in a department of internal medicine.
US (US) examination of the abdomen has acquired a growing role in the investigation of abdominal pain; however its role in the diagnosis of some important causes of abdominal pain is still under investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of US of the abdomen in the diagnosis of abdominal pain in patients referred to a department of internal medicine. ⋯ A high percentage of US examinations identified conditions that could possibly cause abdominal pain. Diagnostic yield of abdominal US was higher in elderly and very elderly patients. When a US examination is requested, it should always be evaluated within the clinical context. The physician should be aware of the great value of abdominal US in the diagnosis of the various causes of abdominal pain, but also of its possible limitations.
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Journal of ultrasound · Jun 2011
US and MDCT diagnosis of a rare cause of haematuria in children: Posterior nutcracker syndrome.
Posterior nutcracker syndrome is caused by compression of the left renal vein between the abdominal aorta and the vertebral column. We present the case of a 14-year-old girl with vague left loin pain, mild haematuria and proteinuria. Diagnosis of this rare syndrome was achieved using color Doppler US and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography.
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Journal of ultrasound · Jun 2011
Pulmonary ultrasonography in the follow-up of respiratory distress syndrome on preterm newborns. Reduction of X-ray exposure.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most common cause of respiratory failure in preterm neonates, whose lungs are often immature. The diagnosis and follow-up are based on clinical and radiographic findings. Due to the problem of air artifacts, ultrasonography (US) is not used routinely in the diagnosis of lung diseases. However, when the alveolar air content decreases, as it does in RDS, characteristic patterns appear that can be observed during US lung examinations. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of chest radiographs in neonates with RDS could be reduced by the routine use of chest US for follow-up examinations. ⋯ Chest ultrasound is a valid alternative for the follow-up of VLBW infants with RDS, which can decrease the need for chest X-rays and reduce patient exposure to ionizing radiation.