Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in the Field of Diabetology

Abstract

Ultrasound is increasingly used in daily clinical practice to improve the efficiency of the clinical examination. In this article, we reviewed its various possible uses in the field of diabetology. The ultrasonic evaluation of the carotid arteries (plaques and intima media thickness) allows improving the assessment of the cardiovascular risk. Steatosis can be detected relatively easily on liver ultrasound. Ultrasound also allows a more sensitive detection of lipohypertrophy resulting in glycemic fluctuations and thus increasing the risk of hypoglycemia than the clinical examination. Finally, muscle ultrasound appears to be a promising tool to assess the nutritional status and its consequences (e.g., falls).

Lipohypertrophy and Insulin: An Update From the Diabetes Technology Society

“…17 Ultrasound is about 30% more sensitive in detecting LH than palpation. 36 However, its clinical utility for widespread use outside of a research setting remains unclear. In a study conducted by Hashem et al, 37 74 individuals with T1D underwent an ultrasound examination of LH regions with unaffected areas as reference regions.…”