Methodology: 4/5
Usefulness: 3.5/5
Wilson SJ, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2024 Mar;83(3):235-246. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.09.005.
Questions and Method: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of emergency physician performed point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for acute cholecystitis diagnosis compared to final diagnosis as per surgical pathology, discharge diagnosis or radiology performed ultrasound.
Findings: Emergency physician performed POCUS with final diagnosis as reference standard had a pooled sensitivity of 70.9%, specificity of 94.4%, positive likelihood ratio of 12.7 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.31.
Limitations: Lack of consecutive patient enrollment, variability in POCUS training of ED staff, and lack of patient-centered outcomes are some limitations to consider.
Interpretation: ED physicians may use POCUS to rule in a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, however its utility to exclude the diagnosis may be limited.
JC Supervisor: Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy
