Point-of-care ultrasound in the head and neck region

• Published in: Journal of medical ultrasonics (2001) Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 593 - 600
• Main Authors: Furukawa, Madoka, Hashimoto, Kaori, Kitani, Yuka, Yoshida, Manatsu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.10.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Airway management; Anesthesiology; Blood vessels; Care and treatment; Carotid arteries; Cartilage; Dyspnea; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Epiglottis; Esophagus; Exocrine glands; Imaging; Larynx; Lymphatic diseases; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neck; Orthopedics; Patients; Point of care testing; Posture; Primary care; Radiology; Salivary glands; Special Feature: Review Article; Thyroid diseases; Thyroid gland; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; Veins & arteries; Head and neck; Swallowing function; Point-of-care ultrasound; Neck tumor; Upper airway obstruction
• ISSN: 1346-4523; 1613-2254
• DOI: 10.1007/s10396-022-01266-8

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the head and neck region plays a particularly significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of upper airway stenosis, swelling, and painful diseases in the neck, and in the evaluation of swallowing function. Therefore, it should be performed in various medical settings beyond the boundaries of the clinical department such as general medicine, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. The target diseases are salivary gland disease, lymph node disease, pharyngeal disease, laryngeal disease, esophageal disease, thyroid disease, and dysphagia and dyspnea due to various causes. Head and neck POCUS is an extremely useful diagnostic method for both patients and doctors, and its use is expected to become more widespread in the future.