Point-of-care ultrasound in skin and soft tissue infections.

Journal

Journal of hospital medicine

ISSN: 1553-5606

Titre abrégé: J Hosp Med

Pays: United States

ID NLM: 101271025

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
31 Jul 2024

Historique:

revised: 22 06 2024

received: 14 11 2023

accepted: 12 07 2024

medline: 31 7 2024

pubmed: 31 7 2024

entrez: 31 7 2024

Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in hospital medicine, especially with advancements in ultrasound technology that make it easier to perform. POCUS can augment the history and physical exam in patients with suspected SSTIs. POCUS can detect deeper infections, such as abscesses, and expedite time to surgical debridement for life-threatening infections such as necrotizing fasciitis (NF). This review provides an introduction on how to perform and interpret a skin and soft tissue POCUS exam, the key sonographic findings for SSTIs, and how to incorporate these findings into clinical reasoning and management. SSTI POCUS literature was reviewed using PubMed. All relevant studies with a defined protocol and reported sensitivity and specificity pertaining to the use of POCUS to diagnose SSTIs in adults were included. The authors provide additional input based on their ultrasound expertise and clinical experience. A total of seven studies met the criteria to be included in this review. Soft tissue POCUS is a valuable tool for hospitalists to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care when assessing suspected SSTIs. Access to equipment, POCUS training, and experience are barriers to widespread use. However, performing a soft tissue POCUS exam is straightforward. It requires less training compared to other POCUS exams, and it has notable potential for routine future practice in the evaluation and management of suspected SSTIs and other dermatologic conditions.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVE

This review provides an introduction on how to perform and interpret a skin and soft tissue POCUS exam, the key sonographic findings for SSTIs, and how to incorporate these findings into clinical reasoning and management.

METHODS METHODS

SSTI POCUS literature was reviewed using PubMed. All relevant studies with a defined protocol and reported sensitivity and specificity pertaining to the use of POCUS to diagnose SSTIs in adults were included. The authors provide additional input based on their ultrasound expertise and clinical experience.

RESULTS RESULTS

A total of seven studies met the criteria to be included in this review.

CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS

Soft tissue POCUS is a valuable tool for hospitalists to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care when assessing suspected SSTIs. Access to equipment, POCUS training, and experience are barriers to widespread use. However, performing a soft tissue POCUS exam is straightforward. It requires less training compared to other POCUS exams, and it has notable potential for routine future practice in the evaluation and management of suspected SSTIs and other dermatologic conditions.

Identifiants

DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13467 PMID: 39082276

pubmed: 39082276

doi: 10.1002/jhm.13467

doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article Review

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

Informations de copyright

Références

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