The impact of goal-directed transvaginal ultrasonography on clinical decision-making for emergency physicians.

The aim of study was to determine the impact of "goal-directed transvaginal ultrasonography" (TVUSG) on real-time clinical decision making of attending emergency physicians evaluating their level of certainty for preliminary diagnosis, admission, surgery, treatment, additional laboratory, and discharge in patients presenting with acute pelvic pain to the emergency department (ED). This prospective cross-sectional clinical study was conducted on sexually active female patients older than 18 years who presented with acute pelvic pain in the ED. The level of certainty of clinical decision making as mentioned above was measured by a visual analogue scale from 0 to 100 mm with 100 mm being most certain before and after TVUSG. Statistical analysis was performed on 88 patients. The mean age was 31.7 ±8.3 years with a median of 30 years. Among clinical decisions, there was a significant difference between pre-TVUSG and post-TVUSG certainty of the decision to perform preliminary diagnoses derived from patient's history and physical examination but not in the other outcomes (treatment, admission, surgery, and discharge). (P = .05). Of the patients included in the study, 11 (12.5%) were admitted to hospital, and 2 (2.3%) of them were operated on. The remaining 75 (85.2%) patients were discharged from the ED; of the patients that had been discharged, 18 (20.5%) patients later consulted another physician, and no further pathology could be discovered. In conclusion, US performed by attending emergency physicians may affect the certainty of their decisions in patients presenting with acute pelvic pain. This effect statistically significantly on the decision to determine preliminary diagnosis.

How stylet use can effect confirmation of endotracheal tube position using ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: None of the techniques used for confirmation of endotracheal tube (ET) placement are proven reliable 100% of the time. The purpose of our study is to determine whether ultrasound can accurately detect the passage of ET through the trachea and esophagus and to see whether this visualization is augmented with the use of a metal stylet. METHODS: A total of 7 physicians made assessments of ET positions using an ultrasound during their passage through the trachea or esophagus. A total of 40 esophageal and 40 tracheal intubations were performed randomly in a blinded fashion on a fresh, unfrozen human cadaver. Half were performed with a metal stylet and the other half without a stylet. RESULTS: During transtracheal assessment regardless of stylet use, correct identification of ET position was achieved in 275 of 280 esophageal intubations and 268 of 280 tracheal intubations. The overall sensitivity was 95.7%, and specificity was 98.2%. The presence and the absence of stylet was identified in 109 of 280 and in 155 of 280 attempts, respectively. Correct identification of stylet presence yielded a sensitivity of 38.9% and a specificity of 55.4%. Ultrasound can be used by emergency physicians to accurately detect the passage of ET through the trachea and esophagus; however, stylet use did not augment ET visualization.