Diagnostic role of thoracic ultrasound in patients with acute respiratory failure at emergency service.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to elucidate the effectiveness of bedside thoracic ultrasound according to BLUE protocol and to investigate its superiority over other imaging methods in the emergency service. METHODS: A total of 120 patients admitted to our institution's emergency care department due to respiratory distress have been enrolled in this prospective research. Thorax USG has been performed in the right and left hemithorax at the points specified in the BLUE protocol for each patient. Pleural sliding motion, A-lines, B-lines, consolidation, effusion, and the presence of barcode signs were evaluated individually. Age, sex, comorbid diseases, other radiological examination findings, laboratory findings, final clinical diagnosis, and hospitalization-discharge status of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: When a correct diagnosis of pneumonia has been analyzed for imaging techniques, the diagnostic rate of chest radiography was 83.3%, CT was 100.0%, and USG was 66.6%. The correct diagnostic rate of chest radiography was 94.5%; CT and USG were 100.0%. The correct diagnosis of pulmonary edema on chest radiography was 94.5%; CT and USG were 100.0%. While the correct diagnosis of pleural effusion on chest radiography and CT was 100.0%, it was 92.3% in USG imaging. Finally, CT and USG imaging performed better than chest radiography in patients with pneumothorax (chest radiography 80.0%, CT and USG 100%). CONCLUSION: USG imaging could be preferred in the diagnosis of pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, and differential diagnosis at the emergency service.

Add oleander to your list of corrosives.

INTRODUCTION: Nerium oleander is a toxic ornamental plant which usually grows in the Mediterranean area. In the past it was used to produce cardiotonic medicine and there are studies on using this plant as an anti-cancer medicine and on its use in alternative medicine for many causes. CASE PRESENTATION: Our case was of a 36 years old male who came to the emergency department with sore throat and burning feel in the throat following his curious bite of the oleander leaf. He had no trouble of breathing. The physical examination of the mouth showed burn-like lesions and edema of the uvula, oropharyngeal hyperemia, congestion and on the second day; necrosis. The edema and necrosis were later reduced with the treatment. We discharged the patient after observing for three following days without any complications or side effects. CONCLUSION: Besides the systemic effects of the oleander plant, this case demonstrates that it could cause serious tissue necrosis when applied locally and corrosive esophagitis when taken by oral way. Patients must be examined and followed also for local toxic effects.