An [illustrative] update on pediatric emergency medicine ultrasound: part 1 – trauma and thoracic applications

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) plays an essential role in emergency medicine, providing a range of diagnostic and procedural modalities. It does not involve any ionizing radiation and can improve procedural accuracy and safety. The role of POCUS in the care of pediatric patients differs somewhat from that of adult patients, as there are a range of conditions specific to infants and children. The technical background of pediatric POCUS and its current applications for trauma and thoracic scanning are reviewed and illustrated in this first article of this series.