Point-Of-Care Ultrasound as a First-Line Tool for Acute Diverticulitis in a Military Setting

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is essential for diagnosing acute abdominal conditions, especially in resource-limited settings. This report discusses a 51-year-old male presenting with left lower quadrant pain, pallor, and low-grade fever. Ultrasound performed at the Italian Navy's Divers and Riders Group with a Mindray DC-60 system revealed bowel wall thickening, increased echogenicity of surrounding fat, and a small fluid collection, suggestive of acute diverticulitis. A contrast-enhanced CT scan at a civilian hospital confirmed the diagnosis. This case highlights the value of POCUS in diagnosing diverticulitis, enabling rapid assessment when access to CT is unavailable.