This was a meta-analysis including 11 studies (n=1178) to evaluate the test characteristics of US in diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO). There was mild to moderate heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria, study location, sonographer experience, and reference standard. Specifically, most studies used 2.5 cm as the cutoff to diagnose SBO while one study used the cutoff of 3.0 cm, and several other studies only noted the presence of “dilated bowel loops” as a diagnostic criteria. Of the 11 studies included, only 3 were emergency department studies. Reference standards included surgery, clinical diagnosis, CT, or other advanced imaging. While there were multiple components to the index test and varied reference standard, this does appear to be the best and biggest review on this topic. These operating characteristics suggest ultrasound to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of SBO, however further studies are needed specifically with regards to the emergency department setting. *Other diagnostic criteria included visualizing collapsed distal loops of bowel with decreased peristalsis

PMID: 28797559

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 4 studies (n=461) evaluated the accuracy of emergency department POCUS performed by EM or PEM physicians for diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. The main limitation of the study was the high prevalence of equivocal results. However, authors did a sensitivity analysis with and without equivocal cases and results were similar. A mathematical model was used to compare POCUS to CT scan and MRI. The authors concluded that a positive POCUS exam is diagnostic, obviating the need for CT, however if POCUS is equivocal or negative, further imaging with CT or MRI is necessary.

PMID: 28214369