See it sooner: The role of point-of-care ultrasound in detecting malignant and invasive lesions presenting to the paediatric emergency department – A pictorial review

Abstract

Introduction:

Undifferentiated paediatric patients can be difficult to correctly classify with the correct condition. This may be, in part, due to the unique differences in how symptoms present as well as the challenges clinicians face in undertaking a complete examination where cooperation may be hindered due to pain, anxiety or limited understanding. Point-of-care ultrasound is now recognised as a valuable tool to assist acute paediatricians in their decision-making and diagnosis when incorporated into their clinical assessment.

Conclusion:

We describe six cases which presented to the Paediatric Emergency Department, where point-of-care ultrasound played a crucial role in uncovering malignant or invasive lesions and subsequently expedited further investigations, leading to much quicker diagnosis.