|
In the last few years, ultrasonography has become increasingly recognized
as a helpful tool for the evaluation and management of patients
in the intensive care unit, emergency department, and the operating
room, as well as general hospital wards and outpatient clinics. Ultrasound
guidance in thoracentesis and central venous catheterization is
becoming the standard of care, and use of ultrasonography has significantly
expedited the initial evaluation of the trauma patient. With the
development of affordable and portable devices, ultrasound examinations
are increasingly performed by nonradiologists.
This book is intended to serve as a resource for internists, pulmonologists,
critical care physicians, surgeons, emergence medicine physicians,
and anesthesiologists, as well as physicians in training. The
chapters have been organized to provide a background in physics and
imaging technology, review the literature pertinent to the most commonly
performed procedures and nonprocedural applications of ultrasonography,
and provide guidance on how to perform those examinations
and procedures.
It is our hope that this book will inspire nonradiologists to become
familiar with ultrasound and begin to use it as a tool in daily clinical
practice in order to enhance patient care. |
