Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in Internal Medicine: Limitations and Pitfalls for Novice Users.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly being adopted in the field of internal medicine, leading to the development of POCUS curricula in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programs. Prominent internal medicine societies and organizations worldwide recognize the expanding utilization of POCUS by internal medicine physicians, emphasizing the need for practitioners to be aware of both its benefits and limitations. Despite the growing enthusiasm for POCUS, clinicians, particularly those with limited clinical experience, must be cautious regarding its inherent limitations and the potential impact on their clinical practice.

Hydroxyurea-Induced Acute Pancreatitis.

Drug-induced pancreatitis (DIP), while not a major cause of acute pancreatitis, remains a debilitating diagnosis resulting in significant patient morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis includes first diagnosing acute pancreatitis, second ruling out more common etiologies (alcohol abuse, gallstones, etc.), and third documenting a thorough history (in particular medications).

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents During the COVID-19 Era: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by internal medicine physicians and residents is increasing. We present the results of a pilot study to implement a POCUS curriculum that was interrupted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at an internal medicine residency program at a community hospital. The purpose of this study is to inquire about the attitude and interest of our medical residents in POCUS.

The Conundrum of Volume Status Assessment: Revisiting Current and Future Tools Available for Physicians at the Bedside.

Assessment of patients' volume status at the bedside is a very important clinical skill that physicians need in many clinical scenarios. Hypovolemia with hypotension and tissue under-perfusion are usually more alarming to physicians, but hypervolemia is also associated with poor outcomes, making euvolemia a crucial goal in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the assessment of volume status can be challenging, especially in the absence of a gold standard test that is reliable and easily accessible to assist with clinical decision-making.

Feel It, See It, Get It: Is Internal Medicine Residents' Use of Ultrasound in Lumbar Puncture Associated With Higher Success Rate?

Introduction:  Multiple emergency medicine and anesthesiology research studies suggest that ultrasound (US) is potentially useful in assisting with needle insertion in a lumbar puncture (LP). However, little is known about its value when utilized by internal medicine (IM) residents. The objective of this study is to examine whether the use of ultrasound in LPs performed by internal medicine residents is associated with a higher success rate than the traditional palpation method.