Objectives:
1. To elucidate the clinical significance of sonographic signs in the emergent setting.
2. To demonstrate the value of recognition of critical sonographic findings that will ascertain ER patient management.
3. To correlate the significance of sonographic findings with the clinical scenario.
Methods: The implication of sonographic findings in an emergent scan will determine patient triage for either medical or surgical management. The magnitude of recognition of vital sonographic findings will be demonstrated in different case scenarios including emergent imaging of the female pelvis, scrotal ultrasound and right upper quadrant. Key sonographic features including sonographic “Aunt Minnies” will be displayed.
Results: Recognition of the core sonographic signs in an emergent scan is very essential for immediate and prompt surgical or medical intervention. Sonograms provide a road map for additional imaging where required.
Conclusions: Ultrasound is a very fast, non invasive and inexpensive modality in the evaluation of commonly encountered symptoms in the emergency room. Understanding the finer points of image recognition and interpretation is highly valuable in expedient patient management.