Could carotid ultrasound make pulse checks more reliable? Natalie May examines a proof-of-concept study using recordings from patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and explains why interpreting those images is a different challenge from obtaining and using them during a real cardiac arrest.
JC: Finger on the Pulse? Read More
Notes from an April 2020 discussion of point-of-care ultrasound in suspected COVID-19. The authors explore lung scanning, interpretation, decontamination, triage and training, while recognising that the evidence was developing and ultrasound findings needed to be considered alongside clinical probability and alternative diagnoses.
POCUS for COVID19 – Sounding out a Virus Read More
Ultrasound education meets musical parody in Natalie May’s ‘Probe’, created for SonoWars at SMACC Dublin in 2016. This short introduction celebrates the FOAMus community and the educators whose freely shared videos helped inspire an affectionate tribute to point-of-care ultrasound.
Probe – A Celebration of #FOAMus at #smaccDUB Read More
Should ultrasound or CT be the first investigation for suspected renal colic? This 2014 appraisal examines a trial comparing emergency physician ultrasound, radiologist ultrasound and CT, focusing on patient outcomes, missed diagnoses, cumulative radiation and the need for additional imaging after the initial test.
JC: Should USS be first investigation for renal colic? St.Emlyn’s Read More
Could bedside ultrasound improve the assessment of patients with acute breathlessness? This 2014 journal club examines a randomised trial, separating improved diagnostic accuracy from evidence of better patient outcomes and considering how patient selection and reliance on a single ultrasound operator limit the findings.
JC: POCUS for the breathless patient. St.Emlyn’s Read More
When rapid CT is available, what does FAST ultrasound add to trauma care? In this 2013 opinion piece, Simon Carley questions the place of FAST in basic ultrasound training, linking curriculum choices to patient benefit while acknowledging settings where CT is less accessible.
On a FAST track to nowhere at St.Emlyn’s Read More
Can bedside ultrasound identify the cause of undifferentiated hypotension? This 2013 journal club examines a 108-patient diagnostic study, questioning how agreement with a final diagnosis relates to clinical judgement, potential bias and better patient outcomes.
JC: Point of care USS for Hypotension in the ED. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Can ultrasound improve assessment of suspected skin and soft tissue infection in children? This 2012 journal club introduction questions whether finding an abscess necessarily improves outcomes, and raises concern about unnecessary interventions before linking to further ultrasound learning resources.
JC: Diagnostic panacea? USS that paeds abscess? Read More
