Abnormal Lung Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Suspected Cases of COVID-19 pneumonia with Normal Plain Chest Radiographs - A Case Series.

COVID-19 pneumonia produces a heterogeneous array of clinical, biochemical, and radiological findings. Over the last few months of global hurry to optimize a testing strategy, it has been suggested that bedside point-of-care lung ultrasound may have a diagnostic role. We present 3 patients with RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, who had an admission plain chest film reported to be normal by a consultant radiologist, but with significant sonographic abnormalities on bedside ultrasound performed within 24 hours of the chest radiograph.

An audit of the use of hydroxychloroquine in rheumatology clinics.

Objective: The aim was to audit the use, indications, complications and patient information regarding HCQ treatment in rheumatology clinics in a tertiary referral centre.

Methods: During a 9-month period, we identified all patients prescribed HCQ and attending rheumatology clinics in one hospital. We established: (i) the indication for HCQ; (ii) the prevalence of HCQ overdosing based on absolute body weight (ABW); (iii) documentation of warning of risk of retinal toxicity; (iv) systemic and ocular co-morbidities; (v) ocular symptoms during treatment; and (vi) reasons for stopping HCQ.