Emergency Ultrasound Reference

This guide is a pocket reference for the clinician who utilizes ultrasound in the bedside evaluation of patients. Foremost, the intent is to assist the clinician in identifying clinical scenarios in which bedside ultrasound would be useful. This text also provides guidance on technical matters such as probe selection, probe placement, and interpretation of normal anatomy. Perhaps most importantly, the guide assists the clinician in determining how best to integrate the ultrasound results into clinical practice. The clinician must, however, possess knowledge of the limitations of ultrasound in each scenario and must recognize when other diagnostic modalities are needed. Further, this guide is not to serve as a complete reference or as a substitute for adequate cognitive and practical hands-on training.

 This book is divided into chapters based on individual ultrasound examinations. Each chapter gives the indications, goals, probe selection, and patient positioning for each exam. For each exam, probe positioning as well as normal and abnormal anatomy are described. Also, pearls and pitfalls are provided for each examination, and a suggested method for integrating the ultrasound exam into clinical practice is provided. It is important to consider that the clinical integration model will vary based on the reader’s level of ultrasound experience and the location of practice. Each chapter concludes with ultrasound diagrams that demonstrate normal and abnormal findings as well as appropriate probe positioning for image acquisition.