Stories That Inspire Global Impact

Endotracheal tube (ETT) confirmation in procedural ultrasound is a critical, rapid assessment to ensure correct placement of the breathing tube within the trachea, vital for patient safety during intubation. This real-time technique helps differentiate tracheal from esophageal intubation, preventing severe complications. Utilizing bedside ultrasound, clinicians visualize the trachea and esophagus, observing the ETT's path and…

Airway ultrasound is a pivotal procedural technique in medical ultrasound, offering real-time visualization of the upper airway for safer and more efficient airway management. This non-invasive method allows clinicians to identify crucial anatomical structures, assess for pathology (like subglottic stenosis), and confirm endotracheal tube placement, significantly reducing complications during intubation and tracheostomy procedures. Its utility…

Cricothyroid membrane identification is a vital procedural skill in emergency medicine, particularly for securing an airway via cricothyroidotomy. Ultrasound plays a crucial role in accurately locating this membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, enhancing safety and success rates. Real-time visualization helps minimize complications in critical situations. Ultrasound-guided cricothyroid membrane identification streamlines airway management, a…

Ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture enhances safety and success rates in medical procedures. This procedural technique uses real-time ultrasound imaging to visualize anatomical landmarks like the spinous processes and intervertebral spaces, identifying the optimal needle insertion point and trajectory. It helps avoid critical structures, reducing complications. This guidance is particularly beneficial for patients with challenging anatomies, such…

Epidural placement, a common procedural application in medical settings, involves precisely inserting a needle and catheter into the epidural space, the area surrounding the spinal cord. Ultrasound guidance is increasingly utilized to enhance safety and accuracy, allowing real-time visualization of anatomical structures and needle advancement. This technique is critical for various pain management strategies, including…

A Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthetic technique used in procedural medicine to provide analgesia for abdominal wall surgeries. Administered under ultrasound guidance, this block targets the nerves within the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles, offering effective pain relief by blocking somatic nerve innervation to the anterior…

PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) placement is a common medical procedure involving the insertion of a long, thin tube into a peripheral vein, typically in the arm, with its tip advanced into a large central vein near the heart. Ultrasound guidance is crucial for safe and effective PICC placement, allowing clinicians to visualize the vein,…

The fascia iliaca block is a regional anesthetic technique used in procedural medicine, particularly relevant to pain management and orthopedic ultrasound. This nerve block targets the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and obturator nerves by injecting local anesthetic into the potential space beneath the fascia iliaca, superior to the iliacus muscle. Ultrasound guidance is increasingly utilized…

Dialysis catheter placement is a vital procedural application of medical ultrasound, ensuring safe and accurate insertion of temporary or permanent access devices for hemodialysis. Ultrasound guidance minimizes complications like arterial puncture or pneumothorax, enhancing patient safety and procedural success in critical care and nephrology settings. This imaging technique allows real-time visualization of vascular anatomy, guiding…