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Diagnostics
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Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Clinical Diagnosis: New Advances and Challenges
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Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Clinical Diagnosis: New Advances and Challenges

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 6457

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Toru Yamada

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
Interests: point-of-care ultrasound; diaphragm ultrasound; medical education; simulation training

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become widely adopted in recent years, not only among emergency and critical care physicians but also in fields such as internal medicine and family medicine. POCUS has been integrated into the educational curriculum for medical students and is increasingly being adopted by other professions, such as nurse practitioners. As POCUS continues to evolve, the distinction between POCUS and comprehensive ultrasonography is becoming increasingly blurred. This Special Issue, “Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Clinical Diagnosis: New Advances and Challenges”, primarily targets research related to clinical diagnosis. We also welcome new insights and challenging approaches in this field. Original articles, comprehensive reviews, and interesting images are encouraged.

Dr. Toru Yamada
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • point-of-care ultrasound
  • clinical diagnosis
  • critical care
  • emergency medicine
  • family medicine

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 227 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Ageing on Diaphragm Function and Maximal Inspiratory Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Ultrasound Study
by Toru Yamada, Taro Minami, Takahiro Shinohara, Shuji Ouchi, Suguru Mabuchi, Shunpei Yoshino, Ken Emoto, Kazuharu Nakagawa, Kanako Yoshimi, Mitsuko Saito, Ayane Horike, Kenji Toyoshima, Yoshiaki Tamura, Atsushi Araki, Ryoichi Hanazawa, Akihiro Hirakawa, Takeshi Ishida, Takuma Kimura, Haruka Tohara and Masayoshi Hashimoto
Diagnostics 2025, 15(2), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15020163 - 13 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1021
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The effects of ageing on the diaphragm are unclear. This study examined the association between ageing and diaphragm thickness, thickening fraction (TF), and diaphragm excursion (DE) as assessed by ultrasonography after adjusting for other factors. The relationship between these parameters and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The effects of ageing on the diaphragm are unclear. This study examined the association between ageing and diaphragm thickness, thickening fraction (TF), and diaphragm excursion (DE) as assessed by ultrasonography after adjusting for other factors. The relationship between these parameters and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was also investigated. Methods: From 2022 to 2024, ambulatory and communicative adult volunteers and outpatients were recruited from four Japanese medical institutions. Each participant’s background factors (including height, weight, and underlying diseases) and pulmonary function test results were assessed. Diaphragm thickness, TF, and DE were evaluated using ultrasonography. Results: The study involved 230 individuals with a mean age of 55.5 years (older adults (65 years and over), n = 117; non-older adults, n = 113). In older adults, the diaphragm was thicker (2.1 vs. 1.7 mm, p < 0.001), and TF was lower (88.7% vs. 116.0%, p < 0.001), with no significant difference in DE. Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for sex, height, body mass index, and underlying diseases showed positive associations between age and diaphragm thickness (p = 0.001), but not with TF or DE. MIP was positively associated with DE (p < 0.001) but not with thickness or TF. Age was negatively associated with MIP, regardless of diaphragm thickness, TF, and DE (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: As the diaphragm thickens with age, neither thickness nor TF is associated with MIP; only DE is related to MIP. Additionally, ageing is negatively associated with MIP, independent of diaphragm thickness, TF, and DE. Diaphragm function should be assessed using DE rather than thickness or TF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Clinical Diagnosis: New Advances and Challenges)
12 pages, 1693 KiB  
Article
B-Lines in the Assessment of Interstitial Lung Disease Associated with Scleroderma: The Role of Handheld Devices
by Codrina Ancuța, Cristina Pomirleanu, Ecaterina Gănceanu, Milena Adina Man, Eugen Ancuta and Paraschiva Postolache
Diagnostics 2024, 14(21), 2397; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14212397 - 28 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1008
Abstract
Background: Timely detection and aggressive management of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are essential to improving outcomes and reducing risks of irreversible lung injury. Objective: to explore the usefulness of an ultraportable ultrasound device for the management of [...] Read more.
Background: Timely detection and aggressive management of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are essential to improving outcomes and reducing risks of irreversible lung injury. Objective: to explore the usefulness of an ultraportable ultrasound device for the management of SSc-related ILD and to compare it with clinical and instrumental data. Methods: A total of 19 consecutive SSc patients underwent a comprehensive pulmonary evaluation: clinical, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (spirometry, DLCO), lung CT (1.5 mm slice thickness reconstruction; HRCT), and lung ultrasound (LUS). A total score was calculated based on the number of color-coded B-lines recorded for each lung sliding. B-lines were analyzed against dyspnea, cough, Velcro, CT imaging (Warrick’s score), and PFTs. Global and subgroup analysis were performed (diffuse versus limited cutaneous SSc, Warrick’s < 7 versus >7). Results: Symptomatic lung involvement with varying degrees of dyspnea was reported in about 74% of cases (functional NYHA > 2 in more than half), chronic dry cough in one-third, Velcro rales in 42%. A total of 84.24% were classified as SSc with ILD on CT imaging. Statistically significant mild-to-moderate correlations between B-lines and clinical manifestations were demonstrated, as well as PFTs and Warrick’s scores (more B-lines, lower pulmonary function, but higher extent and severity on CT) (p < 0.05); there were differences between SSc patients without and with ILD in terms of the number and distribution of B-lines (p < 0.05), as well as different B-lines patterns and numbers in diffuse versus limited SSc (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ultraportable handheld LUS is a promising method suitable for the management (screening, early detection, and evaluation) of SSc patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Clinical Diagnosis: New Advances and Challenges)
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Review

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14 pages, 1675 KiB  
Review
Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Nephrology: Beyond Kidney Ultrasound
by Victor Hugo Gómez-Johnson, Salvador López-Gil, Eduardo R. Argaiz and Abhilash Koratala
Diagnostics 2025, 15(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15030297 - 27 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2583
Abstract
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has increasingly become an integral part of clinical practice, particularly in nephrology, where its use extends beyond renal assessment to include multi-organ evaluations. Despite challenges such as limited ultrasound training and equipment access, especially in low- and middle-income countries, the [...] Read more.
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has increasingly become an integral part of clinical practice, particularly in nephrology, where its use extends beyond renal assessment to include multi-organ evaluations. Despite challenges such as limited ultrasound training and equipment access, especially in low- and middle-income countries, the adoption of POCUS is steadily rising. This narrative review explores the growing role of multi-organ POCUS in nephrology, with applications ranging from the assessment of congestion phenotypes, cardiorenal syndrome, and hemodynamic acute kidney injury (AKI) to the evaluation of arteriovenous fistulas and electrolyte disorders. In nephrology, POCUS enhances clinical decision making by enabling rapid, bedside evaluations of fluid status, cardiac function, and arteriovenous access. Studies have demonstrated its utility in diagnosing and managing complications such as heart failure, cirrhosis, and volume overload in end-stage renal disease. Additionally, POCUS has proven valuable in assessing hemodynamic alterations that contribute to AKI, particularly in patients with heart failure, cirrhosis, and systemic congestion. This review highlights how integrating ultrasound techniques, including lung ultrasound, venous Doppler, and focused cardiac ultrasound, can guide fluid management and improve patient outcomes. With advancements in ultrasound technology, particularly affordable handheld devices, and the expansion of targeted training programs, the potential for POCUS to become a global standard tool in nephrology continues to grow, enabling improved care in diverse clinical settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Clinical Diagnosis: New Advances and Challenges)
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13 pages, 3247 KiB  
Review
Ten Questions on Using Lung Ultrasonography to Diagnose and Manage Pneumonia in the Hospital-at-Home Model: Part I—Techniques and Patterns
by Nin-Chieh Hsu, Yu-Feng Lin, Hung-Bin Tsai, Tung-Yun Huang and Chia-Hao Hsu
Diagnostics 2024, 14(24), 2799; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14242799 - 13 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1449
Abstract
The hospital-at-home (HaH) model delivers hospital-level acute care, including diagnostics, monitoring, and treatments, in a patient’s home. It is particularly effective for managing conditions such as pneumonia. Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is a key diagnostic tool in the HaH model, and it often serves [...] Read more.
The hospital-at-home (HaH) model delivers hospital-level acute care, including diagnostics, monitoring, and treatments, in a patient’s home. It is particularly effective for managing conditions such as pneumonia. Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is a key diagnostic tool in the HaH model, and it often serves as a substitute for imaging-based diagnosis in the HaH setting. Both standard and handheld ultrasound equipment are suitable for lung ultrasound (LUS) evaluation. Curvelinear and linear probes are typically used. Patient positioning depends on their clinical condition and specific diagnostic protocols. To enhance sensitivity, we recommend using at least 10-point protocols supported by studies for pneumonia. Five essential LUS patterns should be identified, including A-line, multiple B-lines (alveolar-interstitial syndrome), confluent B-lines, subpleural consolidation, and consolidation with air bronchogram. Pleural effusion is common, and its internal echogenicity can indicate severity and the need for invasive procedures. The current evidence on various etiologies and types of pneumonia is limited, but LUS demonstrates good sensitivity in detecting abnormal sonographic patterns in atypical pneumonia, tuberculosis, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Further LUS studies in the HaH setting are required to validate and generalize the findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Clinical Diagnosis: New Advances and Challenges)
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