Publications by authors named "Efrat Shapira-Levy"
Background: Para and Retropharyngeal abscesses are deep neck infections of early childhood that can be complicated by serious sequelae such as airway obstruction, cervical necrotizing fasciitis, mediastinitis, aspiration pneumonia, jugular thrombosis or aneurysm of the carotid artery. Traditionally, these infections were diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) of the neck, which exposes sensitive structures to radiation and may require sedation.
Case Report: We present a case series of four children diagnosed using point of care ultrasound (POCUS) with para or retropharyngeal abscess later confirmed on CT.
Background: In many centers, pediatric radiology-performed ultrasound and/or POCUS fellowship training are not readily available.
Objective: To present our experience using point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in a pediatric emergency medicine training program without POCUS fellowship-trained staff, and to demonstrate that POCUS of the appendix is feasible outside the context for POCUS fellowship training.
Methods: We identified children diagnosed with appendicitis or periappendiceal abscess from June 2016 to June 2024.