Point-of-care ultrasound
Point-of-care ultrasound has been studied in 7 papers since 2024: 1 trial and 4 observational studies in people; 4 in the past year. The newest paper, Oct 28, 2026: “Use of Portable Ultrasound by Nonradiologists to Triage Women With Abnormal Clinical Breast Examination Findings: A Prospective Study in India”.
7 papers study it5 findingsUpdated
1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 7 papers on point-of-care ultrasound
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 3 independent labs in 3 countries.
“PUD triage identified all cancers in the screening setting and all but nine in the diagnostic setting, yielding an overall sensitivity of 94.3% and specificity of 76.7%.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 2 more
- Human trial1
- Humans4
What did studies of point-of-care ultrasound find?
1Studies of point-of-care ultrasound measured one outcome, Referrals.
Referrals
downin humans1−50% reduction
1 study
Referrals
downin humans1−50% reduction
Point-of-care ultrasound is linked with lower referrals in humans (Women with abnormal clinical breast examination findings) (Approximately 50% reduction).
“Use of PUD substantially improved PPV and reduced referrals by approximately 50%.”
HumansWomen with abnormal clinical breast examination findingsportable ultrasound devicesbreastfemalesn = 319
JCO global oncology
What is point-of-care ultrasound linked with?
4Studies link point-of-care ultrasound with 4 measures, among them Breast cancer detection sensitivity, aortic diameter measurement difference and sarcopenia.
Breast cancer detection sensitivity
upin humans1
1 study
Breast cancer detection sensitivity
upin humans1
Point-of-care ultrasound is associated with breast cancer detection sensitivity in humans (Women with abnormal clinical breast examination findings) (Sensitivity 94.3%; specificity 76.7%).
“PUD triage identified all cancers in the screening setting and all but nine in the diagnostic setting, yielding an overall sensitivity of 94.3% and specificity of 76.7%.”
HumansWomen with abnormal clinical breast examination findingsportable ultrasound devicesbreastfemalesn = 319
JCO global oncology
Aortic diameter measurement difference
upin humans1
1 study
Aortic diameter measurement difference
upin humans1
Point-of-care ultrasound is associated with aortic diameter measurement difference in humans (Point-of-care ultrasound compared with hospital-based ultrasound or CT validation scans) (Mean difference 0.2 cm (95% CI -1.10 to 0.40)).
“The mean difference between the POCUS and validation scans was 0.2 cm (95% CI -1.10 to 0.40).”
HumansPoint-of-care ultrasound compared with hospital-based ultrasound or CT validation scansaortan = 18
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM
Sarcopenia
upin humans1
1 study
Sarcopenia
upin humans1
Point-of-care ultrasound predicts sarcopenia in humans (hospitalized with hip fractures) (AUC 0.652).
“POCUS showed a fair diagnostic accuracy in women (AUC 0.652) and an excellent accuracy in men (AUC 0.905).”
Humanshospitalized with hip fracturesfemales
Journal of clinical medicine
Frailty
upin humans1
1 study
Frailty
upin humans1
Point-of-care ultrasound predicts frailty in humans.
“use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a potential tool to determine the presence of frailty and has been shown to accurately predict frailty and postoperative outcomes.”
Review
Identifying Frailty Using Point-of-Care Ultrasonography: Image Acquisition and Assessment
Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE
Funding
2 grants since 2022VetenskapsrådetSEK 3MGouvernement du Canada | Canadian Institutes of Health ResearchCA$1M