Point-of-Care Sinus Ultrasound: Impact Within a Large Internal Medicine Clinic and Review of Technique

South Med J. 2018 Jul;111(7):411-417. doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000830.

Abstract

Outpatient diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis, using only traditional physical examination and clinical criteria, results in the overuse of antibiotics in patients with upper respiratory complaints. Point-of-care maxillary sinus ultrasound is easy to learn and quick to perform in a primary care clinic. The technique can reduce antibiotic prescribing by reassuring both patients and providers of the absence of fluid in the sinus, the hallmark of maxillary sinusitis. A review of the literature, description of technique, and results of sinus ultrasound implementation in a large internal medicine clinic are included.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Internal Medicine
  • Maxillary Sinus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Maxillary Sinusitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography / methods*