Exploring the Feasibility of At-Home Lung Ultra-Portable Ultrasound: Parent-Performed Pediatric Lung Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if caregivers would be able to successfully perform in home lung ultrasounds on their children without direct supervision after undergoing a basic tutorial that would allow for expert interpretation. METHODS: A prospective exploratory single-center cohort study was conducted on patients (0-18 years) presenting to a pediatric emergency department with a respiratory complaint or COVID-related illness. Caregivers underwent a brief hands-on session and were instructed to scan the lungs daily for 7 days. Images were assessed using a modified POCUS IQ score. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and bivariate analysis was used to compare groups. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were enrolled; the average age of the parent scanner was 31.9 years and 78% were female. Of all participants, 77.8% scanned on day one. Parents were able to successfully perform some part of the daily scan session for an average of 3.8 out of 7 days. The average POCUS IQ score overall was 6.7 (out of 12). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of caregiver ability to obtain adequate lung ultrasound images, at home under no guidance, using the Butterfly iQ probe. Further studies are needed to investigate the accessibility of ultra-portable ultrasound and the ability to integrate with the at-home hospital model, specifically in the pediatric population.

Validation of a Clinical Decision Rule for Ultrasound Identification of MRSA Skin Abscesses in Children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate an adult-derived clinical decision rule for ultrasound identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin abscesses in a pediatric cohort. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of skin and soft tissue infections in patients <21 years presenting to the emergency department who had radiology performed ultrasounds completed and wound cultures obtained. Ultrasound scans were reviewed for edge definition, volume, and shape by 2 pediatric emergency physicians with expertise in point-of-care ultrasound, with approximately 25% of scans reviewed by both experts to evaluate interrater reliability. A third, blinded expert weighed in for discrepancies before analysis. Test performance characteristics were calculated for the clinical decision rule in children. RESULTS: Two hundred nine patients were enrolled, with mean age of 9.8 (±6.7) years; 87 (42%) were male. Sixty-nine (33%) patients had a wound culture positive for MRSA. The clinical decision rule had a sensitivity of 86% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75%-93%), specificity of 32% (95% CI, 25%-41%), positive predictive value of 38% (95% CI, 35%-42%), negative predictive value of 82% (95% CI, 71%-89%), positive likelihood ratio of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.08-1.46), negative likelihood ratio of 0.45 (95% CI, 0.24-0.84), and an odds ratio of 2.8 (95% CI, 1.31-5.97). CONCLUSIONS: This clinical decision rule for ultrasound identification of MRSA abscesses had moderately high sensitivity and negative predictive value in pediatric patients, with similar sensitivity compared with the original adult validation group. Ultrasound may help identify MRSA abscesses, allowing for improved antibiotic choices and outcomes for children with MRSA abscesses.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of Ankle Injuries in Children.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of ankle injuries in children, in conjunction with validated ankle injury clinical prediction rules, can accurately diagnose ankle fracture in children. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on patients (birth-21 years) presenting to a pediatric emergency department with an ankle injury requiring ankle radiograph. POCUS of the injured ankle was performed to evaluate for fracture. Clinical prediction rule scores (Ottawa Ankle and Low Risk Ankle) were recorded along with pre- and post-ultrasound clinical suspicion for fracture. Diagnosis of ankle fracture was confirmed via radiology radiograph report. Test characteristics of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled, 58% were female, with a mean age of 12.2 years (SD 3.8). Twelve (25%) patients had ankle POCUS positive or indeterminate for fracture. Nine (19%) patients had fracture based on radiograph, and 6 of the 9 (67%) patients with fracture had open growth plates. Ankle POCUS was found to have a sensitivity of 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23-85%), specificity of 82% (95% CI, 66-92%), positive predictive value of 42% (95% CI, 17-71%), and negative predictive value of 89% (95% CI, 73-96%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ankle POCUS in children is a difficult application to perform and interpret compared with radiographic diagnosis of fracture. Open growth plates may complicate accurate identification of fracture using POCUS and at this time serves as a poor screening exam to assess for fracture or the need for radiographs.

Accuracy and Interrater Reliability of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography Image Interpretation for Intussusception.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and interrater reliability of (1) point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) image interpretation for identification of intussusception and (2) reliability of secondary signs associated with intussusception among experts compared with novice POCUS reviewers. METHODS: We conducted a planned secondary analysis of a prospective, convenience sample of children aged 3 months to 6 years who were evaluated with POCUS for intussusception across 17 international pediatric emergency departments between October 2018 and December 2020. A random sample of 100 POCUS examinations was reviewed by novice and expert POCUS reviewers. The primary outcome was identification of the presence or absence of intussusception. Secondary outcomes included intussusception size and the presence of trapped free fluid or echogenic foci. Accuracy was summarized using sensitivity and specificity, which were estimated via generalized mixed effects logistic regression. Interrater reliability was summarized via Light's κ statistics with bootstrapped standard errors (SEs). Accuracy and reliability of expert and novice POCUS reviewers were compared. RESULTS: Eighteen expert and 16 novice POCUS reviewers completed the reviews. The average expert sensitivity was 94.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.6-97.5), and the specificity was 94.3% (95% CI, 90.3-96.7), significantly higher than the average novice sensitivity of 84.7% (95% CI, 74.3-91.4) and specificity of 80.4% (95% CI, 72.4, 86.7). κ was significantly greater for expert (0.679, SE 0.039) compared with novice POCUS reviewers (0.424, SE 0.044; difference 0.256, SE 0.033). For our secondary outcome measure of intussusception size, κ was significantly greater for experts (0.661, SE 0.038) compared with novices (0.397, SE 0.041; difference 0.264, SE 0.029). Interrater reliability was weak for expert and minimal for novice reviewers regarding the detection of trapped free fluid and echogenic foci. CONCLUSIONS: Expert POCUS reviewers demonstrate high accuracy and moderate interrater reliability when identifying intussusception via image interpretation and perform better than novice reviewers.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Evaluation and Management of Febrile Infants.

BACKGROUND: Febrile infants frequently present to the emergency department (ED) and account for a vulnerable population at significant risk for serious bacterial infection. Appropriate evaluation and management are key to favorable outcomes but can present challenges for providers, especially in EDs where ill children are infrequently seen and pediatric-trained staff may not be available. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is integrated into the care of adults in the ED but is less commonly used for infants. OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW: We present a review of the current literature and proposed approach to using POCUS for bladder catheterization, lumbar puncture (LP), and vascular access in the resuscitation and evaluation of febrile infants. DISCUSSION: Point-of-care ultrasound can be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of febrile infants by facilitating higher success rates of infant bladder catheterization, LP, and intraosseous and intravenous (IV) line placement. Ultrasound has been shown to be a reliable method of evaluating bladder volumes before the catheterization of infants, reducing the number of attempts needed to obtain an adequate urine sample for testing and culture. Point-of-care ultrasound has also been shown to improve the yield of LPs in infants. Ultrasound is a rapid and accurate way of identifying the appropriate location and depth of needle insertion. Point-of-care ultrasound has also been shown to facilitate obtaining IV access in infants as well as confirming the proper placement of intraosseous lines. CONCLUSIONS: A growing body of evidence suggests that POCUS is a useful adjunct in the initial evaluation and resuscitation of febrile infants. It is the position of both the American Academy or Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and the authors of this article that emergency physicians should be familiar with the indications and applications of POCUS in children. This technology should be used as an adjunct to improve success rates when performing bladder catheterization, LP, and obtaining intravenous/intraosseous access for infants.

Predictors for Acute Appendicitis in Children.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis in children is the most common condition requiring urgent evaluation and surgery in the emergency department. At times, despite the appendix being seen on ultrasound (US), there can be discrepancy as to whether a patient has clinical appendicitis. Secondary findings suggestive of appendicitis can be helpful in identifying and evaluating these children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if specific US findings and/or laboratory results are predictive of appendicitis in children with a visualized appendix on US. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on children (birth to 18 years) presenting to the pediatric emergency department with suspected appendicitis who underwent right-lower-quadrant US. Ultrasound findings analyzed appendix diameter, compressibility, increased vascularity, presence of appendicolith, inflammatory changes, right-lower-quadrant fluid near the appendix, lower abdominal fluid, tenderness during US, and lymph nodes. Diagnosis was confirmed via surgical pathology. RESULTS: There were 1252 patients who enrolled, 60.8 (762) had their appendix visualized, and 39.1 (490) did not. In children where the appendix was seen, 35.2% (268) were diagnosed with appendicitis. Among patients with a visualized appendix, the likelihood of appendicitis was significantly greater if the appendix diameter was 7 mm or greater (odds ratio [OR], 12.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7-32.7), an appendicolith was present (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5-10.3), inflammatory changes were seen (OR, 10.2; 95% CI, 3.9-26.1), or the white blood cell (WBC) count was 10,000/µL (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.4-9.7). A duration of abdominal pain of 3 days or more was significantly less likely to be associated with appendicitis (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.08-0.99). The absence of inflammatory changes, WBC count of less than 10,000/µL, and appendix diameter of 7 mm or less had a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: When the appendix is seen on US but diagnosis of appendicitis is questioned, the absence of inflammatory changes, WBC count of less than 10,000/µL, and appendix diameter of 7 mm or less should decrease suspicion for appendicitis.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Findings in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 is a novel pediatric condition with significant morbidity and mortality. The primary objective of this investigation was to describe the point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) findings in patients evaluated in the emergency department (ED) who were diagnosed with MIS-C. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted including patients <21-years-old who had POCUS performed for clinical care in a pediatric ED and were diagnosed with MIS-C. Point-of-care ultrasound studies were performed by pediatric emergency medicine attending physicians or fellows. Data abstracted by chart review included patient demographics, clinical history, physical examination findings, diagnostic test results, the time POCUS studies and echocardiograms were performed, therapies administered, and clinical course after admission. RESULTS: For the 24 patients included, 17 focused cardiac ultrasound, 9 lung POCUS, 7 pediatric modified rapid ultrasound for shock and hypotension, 1 focused assessment with sonography for trauma, 1 POCUS for suspected appendicitis, and 1 ocular POCUS were performed by 13 physicians. Point-of-care ultrasound identified impaired cardiac contractility in 5 patients, large intraperitoneal free fluid with inflamed bowel in 1 patient, and increased optic nerve sheath diameters with elevation of the optic discs in 1 patient. Trace or small pericardial effusions, pleural effusions, and intraperitoneal free fluid were seen in 3 patients, 6 patients, and 4 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the spectrum of POCUS findings in MIS-C. Prospective studies are needed to help delineate the utility of incorporating POCUS into an ED management pathway for patients with suspected MIS-C.

Fast and Sensitive: Automated Point-of-Care Urine Dips.

OBJECTIVE: Point-of-care (POC) urine dipstick is a highly used test in the pediatric emergency department (PED) owing to its fast turn-around time and inexpensive cost. Past studies have shown hand-held urine dipsticks and automated urinalysis in children younger than 48 months to be sensitive predictors for urinary tract infection (UTI). It is hypothesized that POC dip testing is as accurate as laboratory urinalysis in the diagnosis of UTI. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients (aged birth through 18 years) presenting to a PED between January 2015 and December 2015. Eligible subjects included those that had a POC dip, laboratory urinalysis (lab UA), and urine culture performed during their PED visit. Subjects were selected, using a random number generator; 334 charts were selected. A positive POC dip was defined as having a positive leukocyte esterase or the presence of nitrites. A positive lab UA was defined as having a positive leukocyte esterase, nitrites, or greater than 10 white blood cells per high-power field. Urine culture was used as the criterion standard for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 334 subjects' charts were reviewed. Sensitivity and specificity of the POC dip were 91.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.9%-98.2%) and 63.9% (95% CI, 57.2%-69.3%); lab UA, 91.4% (95% CI, 76.9%-98.2%) and 63.9% (95% CI, 58.2%-69.3%); and lab dip, 88.6% (95% CI, 73.3%-96.8%) and 65.6% (95% CI, 59.9%-70.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care dips are as sensitive in detecting UTI as the lab UA. A prospective study could allow for further demographic evaluation of POC dip diagnosed UTI.

Lung Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric COVID-19: A Case Series.

Lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been shown to be useful for identifying pulmonary pathology in adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, pediatric literature for POCUS in COVID-19 is limited. The objective of this case series was to describe lung POCUS findings in pediatric patients with COVID-19. Three patients with COVID-19 who had lung POCUS performed in a pediatric emergency department were included. Point-of-care ultrasound revealed bilateral abnormalities in all patients, including pleural line irregularities, scattered and coalescing B-lines, consolidations, and pleural effusions. Additional pediatric studies are necessary to gain a broader understanding of COVID-19's sonographic appearance in this age group and to determine whether POCUS may be helpful to facilitate diagnosis and expedite management decisions.

Adverse events and satisfaction with use of intranasal midazolam for emergency department procedures in children.

PURPOSE: Procedural sedation is commonly performed in the emergency department (ED). Having safe and fast means of providing sedation and anxiolysis to children is important for the child's tolerance of the procedure, parent satisfaction and efficient patient flow in the ED. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fasting times associated with the administration of intranasal midazolam (INM) and associated complications. Secondary objectives included assessing provider and caregiver satisfaction scores. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in children presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department who received INM for anxiolysis for a procedure or imaging. Data collected included last solid and liquid intake, procedure performed, sedation depth, adverse events and parent and provider satisfaction. RESULTS: 112 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 3.8 years. There were no adverse events experienced by any patients. Laceration repair was the most common reason for INM use. The median depth of sedation was 2.0 (cooperative/tranquil). The median liquid NPO time was 172.5 min and the median NPO time for solids was 194.0 min. 29.8% were NPO for liquids ≤2 h and 62.5% were NPO for solids ≤2 h. Parent and provider satisfaction was high: 90.4% of parents' and 88.4% of providers' satisfaction scores were a 4 or 5 on a 5 point Likert scale. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that short NPO of both solids and liquids are safe for the use of INM. Additionally, parent and provider satisfaction scores were high with the use of INM.

Diagnostic accuracy of laboratory and ultrasound findings in patients with a non-visualized appendix.

Ultrasound (US) and laboratory testing are initial diagnostic tests for acute appendicitis. A diagnostic dilemma develops when the appendix is not visualized on US. Objective: To determine if specific US findings and/or laboratory results predict acute appendicitis when the appendix is not visualized. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on children (birth-18 yrs) presenting to the pediatric emergency department with suspected acute appendicitis who underwent right lower quadrant US. Children with previous appendectomy, US at another facility, or eloped were excluded. US findings analyzed: inflammatory changes, right lower quadrant and lower abdominal fluid, tenderness during US exam and lymph nodes. Diagnoses were confirmed via surgical pathology. Results 1252 subjects were enrolled, 60.8% (762) had appendix visualized and 39.1% (490) did not. In children where the appendix was not seen, 6.7% [33] were diagnosed with appendicitis. Among patients with a non-visualized appendix, the likelihood of appendicitis was significantly greater if: inflammatory changes in the RLQ (OR 18.0, 95% CI 4.5-72.1), CRP >0.5 mg/dL (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.0-6.8), or WBC > 10 (OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.66-11.58). Duration of abdominal pain >3 days was significantly less likely associated with appendicitis in this model (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.003-0.395). Combined, the absence inflammatory changes, CRP < 0.5 mg/dL, WBC < 10, and pain, ≤3 days had a NPV of 94.0%. Conclusion When the appendix is not visualized on US, predictors for appendicitis include the presence of inflammatory changes in the RLQ, an elevated WBC/CRP and abdominal pain <3 days.

Cold Panniculitis After Ice Therapy for Supraventricular Tachycardia.

A late preterm infant presenting with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit because of poor systolic function seen on echocardiogram. The hospitalization was complicated by multiple breakthrough episodes of SVT requiring ice placed on the face during each repeat episode. The infant was later diagnosed as having cold panniculitis secondary to the application of ice to the face on multiple occasions. In children who are hemodynamically stable during SVT episodes, ice is used as first-line treatment. It is important to be aware of how often ice is being applied to the face and the duration of time to limit complications such as cold panniculitis.

Revisiting the Appendiceal Diameter via Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the optimal outer appendiceal diameter via ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients (ages, 2-18 years) presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 with suspected acute appendicitis. Children were considered as having "suspected acute appendicitis" if they (1) presented with acute abdominal pain and had either a surgical consult or an abdominal ultrasound, or (2) presented or transferred with the stated suspicion of acute appendicitis. Pathology reports were used to confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis. The appendiceal diameters were determined by board-certified pediatric radiologists. RESULTS: A total of 320 patient charts were reviewed (females, 57%; mean age, 10.9; SD, 3.9). Seventy-two percent (N = 230) of the patients screened positive for acute appendicitis via ultrasound, 69% (N = 222) had confirmed acute appendicitis, 75% (N = 239) of the ultrasound reports included an outer appendiceal diameter. Overall, ultrasound was found to be highly sensitive (91%) and moderately specific (74%). With an outer appendiceal diameter of 6 mm as a cutoff, ultrasound had an excellent sensitivity (100%) but poor specificity (43%). With an outer diameter of 7 mm as a cutoff, sensitivity decreased to 94% but specificity increased to 71%. With increasing cutoff size, the sensitivity decreased and specificity increased. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the optimal outer appendiceal diameter for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis should be 7 mm instead of the currently used 6 mm.

A Case Report: Jacobsen Syndrome Complicated by Paris-Trousseau Syndrome and Shone's Complex.

A preterm infant presenting with a congenital cardiac malformation and thrombocytopenia was found to have a karyotype showing a terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome 11 of the segment 11q24.1-11qter consistent with Jacobsen syndrome. The infant was later diagnosed with Paris-Trousseau syndrome, commonly associated with Jacobsen syndrome. Because children with cardiac malformations often require high-risk surgical procedures in the early neonatal period, those with platelet dysfunction require prompt identification at birth.

Development and testing of a deep learning algorithm to detect lung consolidation among children with pneumonia using hand-held ultrasound.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Severe pneumonia is the leading cause of death among young children worldwide, disproportionately impacting children who lack access to advanced diagnostic imaging. Here our objectives were to develop and test the accuracy of an artificial intelligence algorithm for detecting features of pulmonary consolidation on point-of-care lung ultrasounds among hospitalized children. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter center study conducted at academic Emergency Department and Pediatric inpatient or intensive care units between 2018-2020. Pediatric participants from 18 months to 17 years old with suspicion of lower respiratory tract infection were enrolled. Bedside lung ultrasounds were performed using a Philips handheld Lumify C5-2 transducer and standardized protocol to collect video loops from twelve lung zones, and lung features at both the video and frame levels annotated. Data from both affected and unaffected lung fields were split at the participant level into training, tuning, and holdout sets used to train, tune hyperparameters, and test an algorithm for detection of consolidation features. Data collected from adults with lower respiratory tract disease were added to enrich the training set. Algorithm performance at the video level to detect consolidation on lung ultrasound was determined using reference standard diagnosis of positive or negative pneumonia derived from clinical data. RESULTS: Data from 107 pediatric participants yielded 117 unique exams and contributed 604 positive and 589 negative videos for consolidation that were utilized for the algorithm development process. Overall accuracy for the model for identification and localization of consolidation was 88.5%, with sensitivity 88%, specificity 89%, positive predictive value 89%, and negative predictive value 87%. CONCLUSIONS: Our algorithm demonstrated high accuracy for identification of consolidation features on pediatric chest ultrasound in children with pneumonia. Automated diagnostic support on an ultraportable point-of-care device has important implications for global health, particularly in austere settings.

Concussion understanding and management among New England high school football coaches.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To determine high school football coaches' understanding, management and sources of information of concussion at schools without a certified athletic trainer (ATC) or without one at practice. RESEARCH DESIGN: Anonymous survey of head football coaches at New England high schools. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Surveys were mailed to 254 New England high school head football coaches. One hundred and nine (43%) surveys were returned, of which 62 respondents indicated there was no ATC either at the school or at practice. These 62 respondents were used for data analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Coaching associations and conferences were the two most common sources of information received about concussion. Coaches were significantly more knowledgeable about concussion than a general public sample, from which data were available from a prior study. When given potential symptoms of concussion, 70-95% of coaches reported that they would consult a healthcare professional before allowing a player to return to action, consistent with most return-to-play guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Participants demonstrated greater knowledge about concussions than the general public and most, but not all, coaches reported taking a conservative approach to concussion management. Ramifications of the results are discussed.