Multi-organ clinical ultrasound as a complement to the diagnostic process in an internal medicine consultation

Evaluating outpatient cases in internal medicine consultations presents a significant diagnostic challenge. Ultrasound can be a highly useful tool in assessment and decision-making.

A prospective observational study was conducted on a cohort of patients attending an internal medicine rapid assessment clinic. Eighty patients were prospectively recruited. A medical consultation was conducted as per usual clinical practice, followed by a POCUS evaluation; collecting pulmonary, cardiac, and abdominal data. All findings were analyzed and recorded, particularly those that were significant or altered the initial diagnosis, subsequent tests, or treatment.

Significant ultrasound findings were found in 37.5% of the patients. Of all ultrasound scans, the most clinically relevant were in the heart region (31.9%), followed by the abdomen (26%). These findings led to a change in overall management in 27.5% of patients. Using logistic regression, a model was developed to estimate the presence of clinically relevant findings with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 (95% CI 0.66-0.89; p < 0.001) with 80% Sensitivity and 66% Specificity.

The systematic and standardized incorporation of clinical ultrasound in internal medicine consultations contributes to decision-making, can provide significant findings that allow for modifications in clinical suspicion and therapeutic management.