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Basic Abdominal Ultrasound in the ICU

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Ultrasonography in the ICU

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Abstract

Physical examination and evaluation of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit setting is difficult and often impaired by the presence of an altered mental status, recent surgeries, open wounds, and the presence of multiple monitoring devices. Ultrasound is particularly useful in the evaluation of abdominal pathology in this patient population. This chapter will cover basic abdominal ultrasound in the ICU including the evaluation for free fluid, gallbladder, kidney and bladder abnormalities. In addition, interventional techniques such as abdominal paracentesis, intraperitoneal abscess drainage and percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement will be described in detail.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Jamie Jones Coleman M.D.

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  1. Jamie Jones Coleman M.D.
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Correspondence to Jamie Jones Coleman M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Paula Ferrada

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Appendix

Appendix

Video 5.1 Subxiphoid view of the pericardium and heart.

Video 5.2 FAST evaluation of the hepatorenal space.

Video 5.3 FAST evaluation of the splenorenal space.

Video 5.4 FAST evaluation: bladder view.

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Coleman, J. (2015). Basic Abdominal Ultrasound in the ICU. In: Ferrada, P. (eds) Ultrasonography in the ICU. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11876-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11876-5_5

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-11876-5

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