[Mobile ultrasonography in a medical department]

We examined the usefulness and image quality of a mobile miniaturised ultrasound scanner in a medical ward.

The instrument (SonoSite 180), weighing 2.4 kg, is a hand-carried system powered by batteries. In 25 days we recruited consecutively 36 patients aged 23-92. Four different operators evaluated the use of the scanner. We examined one group of patients with relatively simple diagnostic challenges (e.g. gallbladder stone) and one group of patients demanding more advanced visualisation (e.g. peptic ulcer, colitis).

The scanner was easy to carry around and scanning was initiated in 10 seconds. We found satisfactory image quality on 81% of the examinations, despite the fact that in 28% of cases, bowel air and abdominal fat impaired acoustic penetration. Average scanning time was 7 +/- 3 minutes. In 83% of cases, mobile scanning adequately solved the clinical problem. Diagnostic work-up or treatment was changed because of scanning in 39% of the patients. In 64% of cases, standard-procedure referral to the department of radiology was avoided. In 81% of the examinations the operator was very satisfied with the scanner, also in cases that required advanced visualisation.

This mobile scanner was simple to use and gave quick results in a medical ward. The operators were very satisfied: mobile scanning changed diagnostic work-up or treatment in 4 out of 10 cases. Mobile ultrasound scanning enables early diagnosis and seems to promote an efficient flow of patients in a hospital unit.