Work

Identifying Gastrointestinal Pathologies Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Patients presenting with abdominal pain require expedited diagnosis and treatment. Computed tomography (CT) scans, which are frequently ordered in the inpatient and emergency departments, have high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. However, CTs are costly, have radiation exposure, can create hospital workflow inefficiencies, and create a potential safety risk with patient transport. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use is growing as an efficient, safe, and bedside assessment tool for diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies. This manuscript synthesizes key sonographic findings and techniques for a series of important GI pathologies that physicians should recognize: diverticulitis, hernia, appendicitis, intussusception, and intra-abdominal mass.

Source: Diagnostics

DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16030418

Authors: Rebecca G. Theophanous, Lior Abramson, Yuriy S. Bronshteyn

Institutions: Duke University, Durham VA Health Care System, Duke Medical Center, Durham VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Ultrasound in Clinical Applications

Subfield: Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137