Sonographic appearance of an ureteral stent
Here is the image of right kidney obtained from a patient with history of obstructive uropathy. Note the hyperechoic double-lined structure in the collecting system area: that’s ureteral stent. Here […]
Execution of the NephroPOCUS curriculum
A POCUS program runs most effectively when there are at least two (to three) core faculty members who can consistently devote meaningful time to its development. Depending on the size […]
IVC collapse: fact or artifact?
In clinical practice, size, and collapsibility of the IVC is used as a surrogate for right atrial pressure (RAP). In spontaneously breathing patients, inspiration causes negative intrathoracic pressure and collapses […]
What is LV foreshortening?
This is a commonly heard term in echocardiography. Foreshortening occurs when the ultrasound beam does not cut through the true apex of the left ventricle but transects above and anterior […]
Retroperitoneal hematoma
While performing POCUS, it is important to pay attention to what’s happening ‘around’ the kidney as well – sometimes it can save lives. Here are sonographic images obtained from a […]
Septal bounce in a lupus patient
Here is a subcostal view of the heart obtained from a young lupus patient presenting with symptoms of new onset heart failure. Nephrologists may encounter this type of presentation in […]
The ‘double line’ sign
These images were obtained from a dialysis patient during routine screening for renal cell carcinoma. In addition to kidneys being small with thin parenchyma, note the hypoechoic, sharply demarcated area […]
Pericardial cyst
Pericardial cysts are uncommon and represent approximately 5% of thoracic cysts. Most of these are asymptomatic and usually detected incidentally. However, in case of chest trauma, they can rupture leading […]
Fluid in the subcostal cardiac view
What does this subcostal view show? In a twitter poll, more than 50% thought its either pericardial effusion or a pericardial tumor. The correct answer is ascites. Subcostal view of […]
Did you ever see on POCUS what hyperkalemia does to the heart?
Hyperkalemia is probably the most common reason for an urgent nephrology consult. Most of us are familiar with the EKG changes associated with hyperkalemia, though surprisingly, only ~55% of patients […]