Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) have ushered in new possibilities for medical diagnostics in low-resource settings. This review explores the current landscape of AI applications in POCUS across these environments, analyzing studies sourced from three databases—SCOPUS, PUBMED, and Google Scholars. Initially, 1196 records were identified, of which 1167 articles were excluded after a two-stage screening, leaving 29 unique studies for review. The majority of studies focused on deep learning algorithms to facilitate POCUS operations and interpretation in resource-constrained settings. Various types of low-resource settings were targeted, with a significant emphasis on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), rural/remote areas, and emergency contexts. Notable limitations identified include challenges in generalizability, dataset availability, regional disparities in research, patient compliance, and ethical considerations. Additionally, the lack of standardization in POCUS devices, protocols, and algorithms emerged as a significant barrier to AI implementation. The diversity of POCUS AI applications in different domains (e.g., lung, hip, heart, etc.) illustrates the challenges of having to tailor to the specific needs of each application. By separating out the analysis by application area, researchers will better understand the distinct impacts and limitations of AI, aligning research and development efforts with the unique characteristics of each clinical condition. Despite these challenges, POCUS AI systems show promise in bridging gaps in healthcare delivery by aiding clinicians in low-resource settings. Future research endeavors should prioritize addressing the gaps identified in this review to enhance the feasibility and effectiveness of POCUS AI applications to improve healthcare outcomes in resource-constrained environments.

Abdominal pain is one of the most common presenting chief complaints in the emergency department. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an ultrasound-guided nerve block with proven effectiveness in treating visceral and somatic abdominal pain. Despite the increasing popularity of ESPB, its role in the management of nonsurgical abdominal pain has not yet been characterized. Our scoping review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the safety and efficacy of ESPB in the management of patients experiencing intractable, nonsurgical abdominal pain. We searched PubMed and Scopus to evaluate the existing literature on ESPB for nonsurgical abdominal pain. A total of 14 journal articles were included: 12 case-based studies, one systematic review, and one narrative review. All cases described the successful use of ESPB in treating abdominal pain refractory to oral or intravenous analgesic medications, and no complications were reported in any cases. This scoping review provides support for the use of ESPB to manage intractable, nonsurgical abdominal pain. ESPB has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating various conditions such as functional abdominal pain, renal colic, pancreatitis, herpetic pain, and cancer-related pain. Theoretical risks such as pneumothorax, bleeding, and infection are possible, although the studies reviewed did not report such complications.

To evaluate the current body of literature pertaining to the use of ocular point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the emergency department. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on SCOPUS, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Inclusion criteria included studies written in English only and primary clinical studies involving ocular POCUS scans in an emergency department setting. Exclusion criteria included non-primary studies (e.g. reviews or case reports), studies written in a non-English language, non-human studies, studies performed in a non-emergency setting, studies involving non-POCUS ocular ultrasound modalities, or studies published outside of the last decade. Data extraction was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. The initial search yielded 391 results with 153 duplicates. Of the remaining 238 studies selected for retrieval and screening, 24 met inclusion criteria. These 24 included studies encompassed 2448 patients across prospective, retrospective, cross sectional, and case series study designs. We found that a majority of included studies focus on the use of POCUS in the emergency department to measure ONSD as a proxy for papilledema and metabolic aberrations, while a minority use ocular POCUS to assist in the diagnosis of orbital fractures or posterior segment pathology. The vast majority of articles investigating the use of ocular POCUS in recent years emphasize its utility in measuring ONSD and fluctuations in intracranial pressure, though additional outcomes of interest include posterior segment, orbit, and globe pathology.

Background: This original research study evaluates the utility of pulmonary point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) within the extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST) exam to detect asymptomatic COVID‐19 in emergency department trauma patients. Specifically, it examines whether lung findings, such as B‐lines, pleural thickening, and subpleural consolidations, can indicate a COVID‐19 infection. Methods: This retrospective review includes trauma patients aged 18 years or older who underwent eFAST and COVID‐19 swab testing at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, from December 2020 to October 2022. Two blinded reviewers analyzed eFAST scans for more than two B‐lines, irregular pleural interface, or subpleural consolidations, with discrepancies resolved by ultrasound fellows. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 152 patients were included. Of 41 eFAST scans positive for COVID‐19 findings, six were confirmed by PCR testing, yielding a positive predictive value of 15.6% (CI: 7.9%–25.6%). Among the 111 eFAST scans negative for COVID‐19, 10 were PCR‐positive, giving a negative predictive value of 91.0% (CI: 84.1%–95.6%). Sensitivity was 37.5% (CI: 15.2%–64.6%), and specificity was 74.3% (CI: 66.1%–81.4%). Conclusion: Lung POCUS within the eFAST exam is not a reliable tool for detecting asymptomatic COVID‐19 infection in trauma patients due to limited sensitivity and low positive predictive value. Standard diagnostic methods, such as PCR testing, and the use of personal protective equipment should remain the primary approach to protect healthcare providers.