Ultrasonography as an aid to diagnosis and treatment in a rural African hospital: a prospective study of 1,119 cases.

Steinmetz, Jacob; Berger, Jared

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.1999.60.119

Cited by 50 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…1,[3][4][5][6] Given the relatively low cost of these systems, 7,8 their mobility, and minimal maintenance, they are viewed as the most economical, practical solutions for imaging in developing countries or places where access to care is limited. [9][10][11] In collaboration with the Ghana Health Mission (GHM) based in SekondiTakoradi, we explored the utility of portable ultrasound and the clinical usefulness of ultrasound in primary care and hospital settings.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The role of ultrasound must be weighed against the available treatment options and the patient's willingness and financial resources to proceed with treatment. 11 In some cases, the diagnosis of possible cancer influenced the course of treatment in a completely different direction; unfortunately, a late diagnosis of malignancy increases the likelihood of metastasis, and in a country with limited treatment options, the impact on mortality was unclear; however, a more accurate diagnosis is obtained. In other situations, for example, the child with a draining sinus tract and evidence of osteomyelitis, the patient could be expeditiously transferred to an orthopedic hospital for an attempt at salvaging the limb.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Others 11 have found that ultrasound contributed to a diagnosis in 67.8% of cases (a select group in which the ultrasound findings were verified), with 78% of the cases having pathologic findings. Our results show a similar rate of abnormal findings and a higher percentage in which ultrasound added to the clinical diagnosis.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Utility of Portable Ultrasound in a Community in Ghana

Spencer

Adler

2008

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine

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Objective. In many developing countries, access to medical imaging is limited by availability of resources. Portable ultrasound shows great promise to meet the needs in these countries because it is transportable and relatively inexpensive, and it has a wide range of applications. As part of the Ghana Health Mission, SekondiTakoradi, Ghana, we explored the utility of ultrasound in primary care and hospital settings during March 2004. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical utility of a portable ultrasound machine in a variety of physical conditions and multiple clinical scenarios. Methods. Ultrasound examinations were performed at 2 primary care sites and 2 hospitals using a portable ultrasound machine with linear and curved linear phased array transducers. Most ultrasound examinations were musculoskeletal, with the remainder being obstetric, pelvic, breast, vascular, abdominal, and genitourinary examinations. Results. In clinic settings, musculoskeletal ultrasound represented 46% (16) of the ultrasound examinations performed, and 29% (10) of the cases were a combination of abdominal, pelvic, and genitourinary examinations. In hospital settings, abdominal, pelvic, and genitourinary ultrasound examinations combined were 56% (18), and musculoskeletal was 41% (13). Of the 67 ultrasound examinations performed, 81% (54) showed abnormal findings, 81% (54) were considered to add to the clinical diagnosis, and 40% (27) influenced medical care for the patients. Conclusions. This experience shows the usefulness of portable ultrasound examinations performed by a skilled radiologist in a clinical setting in Ghana; the challenge is to address how to best incorporate ultrasound into the current practice of medical professionals in developing countries.

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Utility of Portable Ultrasound in a Community in Ghana

Spencer

Adler

2008

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine

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“…An early study of the utility of ultrasound as an adjunct to physical examination was carried out from 1991 to 1993 in a rural hospital in western Cameroon with a donated ultrasound device. In 323 cases where a gold standard was available, ultrasound provided the diagnosis in 31.6 % of the cases, confirmed a prior diagnosis or excluded alternate diagnoses in 36.2 % of the cases, had no influence on the diagnosis in 27.6 % of cases, and was incorrect in 4.6 % of the cases [55]. Another study reported experience introducing portable ultrasound into the health services of a refugee camp in rural Tanzania [56].…”

Section: Austere Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Out of hospital point of care ultrasound: current use models and future directions

Nelson

Sanghvi

2015

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg

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Prehospital ultrasound has the ability to increase diagnostic ability and allow for therapeutic intervention in the field. In austere environments, ultrasound may be the only available imaging modality and thus can guide diagnosis, therapeutics and determine which patients may need emergent transfer to a healthcare facility. The most cutting edge applications of portable ultrasound employ telemedicine to obtain and transmit ultrasound images. This technology and ability to transmit images via satellite and cellular transmission can allow for even novice users to obtain interpretable images in austere environments. Portable ultrasound uses have steadily grown and will continue to do so with the introduction of more portable and durable technologies. As applications continue to grow, certain technologic considerations and future directions are explored.

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“…In 323 cases where a gold standard was available, ultrasound provided the diagnosis in 31.6% of the cases, confirmed a prior diagnosis or excluded alternate diagnoses in 36.2% of the cases, had no influence on the diagnosis in 27.6% of cases, and was incorrect in 4.6% of the cases (40).…”

Section: Use In Developing Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%