Unexpected findings on point-of-care superficial ultrasound imaging before incision and drainage.

TitleUnexpected findings on point-of-care superficial ultrasound imaging before incision and drainage.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsBlaivas M, Adhikari S
JournalJ Ultrasound Med
Volume30
Issue10
Pagination1425-30
Date Published2011 Oct
ISSN Number1550-9613
KeywordsAbscess, Adult, Aneurysm, False, Catheterization, Peripheral, Diagnosis, Differential, Drainage, Female, Hernia, Abdominal, Humans, Liposarcoma, Male, Middle Aged, Point-of-Care Systems, Postoperative Complications, Radial Artery, Skin Diseases, Skin Neoplasms, Vulvar Neoplasms
Abstract

Cutaneous abscesses are typically incised and drained on the basis of clinical assessment. In most cases this procedure is a safe practice. We report 6 cases in which point-of-care ultrasound interrogation of obvious abscesses revealed potential serious complications with planned incision and drainage. Management was altered in 5 of 6 cases, and potential vascular disasters were avoided. In 1 case, the ultrasound results were ignored, and incision and drainage was completed, confirming the suspected abscess was indeed a solid mass later diagnosed as a carcinoma. In this case series, point-of-care ultrasound interrogation provided rapid assessment and discovery of potentially catastrophic anatomic relationships, avoiding serious complications.

Alternate JournalJ Ultrasound Med
PubMed ID21968495
Faculty Reference: 
Srikar Adhikari, MD, MS, FACEP