Dear Ultrasound Insider,
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Ultrasound Community has been filled with the experiences of physicians from around the world who have used lung ultrasound scans to aid with patient diagnosis, monitoring, and decisions to admit and discharge.
But ultrasound's benefits for patients with COVID-19 may extend beyond the lungs, according to the findings of a new commentary in Academic Emergency Medicine. The consensus of nine experts in point-of-care ultrasound found that ultrasound scans are also useful for visualizing the hearts and veins of patients to check for cardiovascular complications. Learn more in our Insider Exclusive.
When it comes to using ultrasound for patients with COVID-19, ob/gyns may be some of the better-prepared physicians, according to the findings of a study in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Many ob/gyns already have ultrasound experience and equipment in their practices. With some training, they may be able to use their skills to scan the lungs of patients with suspected cases of COVID-19.
Ultrasound may also benefit children with COVID-19. In a recent study, an Italian team recommended using lung ultrasound scans to monitor children with the novel coronavirus. The study found that lung ultrasound scans and chest x-rays produced similar results, but ultrasound has the additional benefit of being radiation-free, the authors noted.
Finally, in non-COVID-19 news, researchers are questioning whether an abundance of imaging has resulted in thyroid cancer being overdiagnosed in 9/11 first responders. The study, which was led by a researcher from the New York City fire department, found that the first responders had twice the thyroid cancer incidence rate of their peers in Minnesota. They believe the increased rate could be attributed to the first responders' annual medical monitoring, which includes CT, MRI, and PET imaging.
I have no doubt that the Ultrasound Community will continue to see news showing ultrasound's versatility in the fight against COVID-19. Have you used ultrasound for patients with COVID-19? If so, how? I'd love to hear your thoughts on Twitter or by email.
