Repository logo
 
Loading...
Profile Picture

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Pre-hospital ultrasonography screening for biliary disease in remote settings
    Publication . Miravent, Sérgio; Jimenez, Cármen; Lobo, Manuel; Figueiredo, Teresa; Almeida, Rui Pedro de
    Screening ultrasound, including Point of Care Ultrasonography (POCUS), is widely utilized for rapid clinical guidance in diverse healthcare settings. In this case report, a 34-year-old male with recurrent biliary colic symptoms underwent a Basic Emergency Service ultrasound, revealing a 13 mm gall bladder calculus and signs of inflammation, and was promptly referred to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Medical specialist confirmation at the hospital underscored the significance of early detection through POCUS. Despite inconclusive laboratory results, the detailed ultrasound assessment provided a comprehensive understanding, emphasizing the tool’s value in averting com plications. Thus, screening ultrasound played a pivotal role in justifying the hospital referral, showcasing its vital role in healthcare, especially in resource-limited settings. The judicious use of POCUS can lead to superior outcomes, avoiding unnecessary referrals for non-emergent cases
  • Renal screening sonography. A comparative study in a Portuguese basic emergency service
    Publication . Miravent, Sérgio; Jiménez, Carmen; Barbancho, Narciso; Lobo, Manuel; Figueiredo, Teresa; Gomes, Carla; Ratusneac, Ion; Gonçalves, João Mário; Hasnas, Corina; Almeida, Rui Pedro de
    Introduction: This study intends to compare the accuracy and pertinence of sonographic findings obtained by a sonographer in a Basic Emergency Service (BES) with the imaging findings at the Referral Hospital (RH). Methods: Thirty-one patients suspected of having renal pathology underwent initial renal sonography screening with sonographer reporting at the BES and were subsequently referred to the RH for additional imaging examinations. The results of both examinations were compared to verify whether the findings from the BES were confirmed by the radiologist in the RH and to ensure that the patient referrals from BES to RH were appropriate. Results: In our sample, most patients (80%) exhibited varying degrees of pyelocaliceal distension, with nearly half (48%) presenting obstructions. A strong association between the sonographic findings in the BES and the RH was found in the variables “Dilatation of pyelocaliceal system” (V=0.895; p=0.000), “Simple cystic formation” (V=0.878; p=0.000), respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between BES and RH findings, indicating a strong association between these two variables respectively (k=0.890; p=0.000) and (k=0.870; p=0.000). In this research, an achieved sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 85% were demonstrated in the identification of pyelocaliceal dilatation. Conclusion: Renal sonographer reporting screening successfully detected abnormalities in the urinary system of patients suspected of having renal colic. The sonographic data obtained at the BES demonstrated a strong correlation with the additional imaging findings from the RH in Portugal. These results suggest that Radiographers/Sonographers can have an important role in the preliminary assessment of urgent renal pathology in remote areas, contributing to a correct referral and early treatment.
  • Discrepancies between screening sonography and ultrasound in emergency department: A case report
    Publication . Miravent, Sérgio; Figueiredo, Teresa; Donchenko, Inna; Cruz, Gualter; Almeida, Rui Pedro de; Lobo, Manuel
    Introduction: This case report presents a discrepancy in sonographic findings between a screening sonography performed by a Sonographer in the Basic Emergency Service (BES) and a subsequent ultrasound performed by a Radiologist physician in a Referral Hospital (RH). The aim of this report is to discuss the possible reasons for the discrepancy and its implications for patient care. Case Presentation: A patient with a history of epigastric pain and vomiting underwent screening sonography in a BES, which suggested Intrahepatic Biliary Dilatation Duct (IHBD) and main pancreatic duct dilatation. The patient was subsequently referred to the RH for further evaluation. However, the Radiologist in the RH did not confirm any of the initial suspicions from BES through a normal ultrasound procedure. The discrepancy raises questions regarding the quality of the screening ultrasound, misinterpretation of the BES images, or the potential for ambiguity in the point of care ultrasound (POCUS) exam. Conclusion: The differences in sonographic findings between BES and RH, in this case, suggest that the improvement of the patient's clinical condition and therapeutic interventions may have contributed to the discrepancy. Further investigation and standardization of POCUS training and interpretation may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.