Use of Ultrasound to Diagnose and Manage a Five-Liter Empyema in a Rural Clinic in Sierra Leone. (22nd June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rotte, Masashi; Fields, Jason Matthew; Torres, Sergio; Dominick, Christa; Kelly, J. Daniel
• Other Names: Exadaktylos Aristomenis K. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in emergency medicine. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-06-22
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency Medicine; Emergency medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/173810
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-648X

Abstract

Abstract : We report the case of a dyspneic patient with a five-liter pleural empyema that was diagnosed and managed in a resource-limited clinic in a rural part of Sierra Leone. The diagnosis and management of this condition are usually guided by imaging modalities such as X-rays or CT scans. However, these resources may not be available in austere settings in developing countries. Because emergency physicians work in a variety of clinical settings, they should be well versed in the use of portable ultrasound machines to diagnose, treat, and manage many different conditions.