The Evolution of Ultrasound in Medicine: A Case Report of Point-of-care Ultrasound in the Self-diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education during medical school develops physicians who are properly prepared for the next generation of medicine. The authors present the case of a first-year medical student who self-diagnosed appendicitis using POCUS. Case Report: A 25-year-old, first-year medical student presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal pain. What seemed like a straightforward appendicitis presentation came with a twist; the student brought self-performed ultrasound imaging of his appendix. Conclusion: The student’s ultrasound skill set reflects favorably on the rapid evolution of ultrasound teaching in medical education.

Patient Self-Performed Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Using Communication Technologies to Empower Patient Self-Care

“…A limited experience suggests that health care professionals can self-image themselves satisfactorily (including for appendicitis) [ 50 ]. An emergency physician reported using home ultrasound upon themselves to confirm a COVID diagnosis and thereafter to follow herself to rule out other worrisome conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, right heart strain from a massive pulmonary embolus, pericardial effusion, and lobar pneumonia [ 51 ].…”