title: Hand-carried ultrasound use in clinical nephrology: Case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Correctly assessing and managing volume status are critical elements of daily care for patients managed by nephrologists. However, intravascular volume is difficult to assess by physical examination alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present vignettes illustrating the potential for using hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) to improve volume assessment in common clinical scenarios faced by the renal consultant in the hospital setting. These include patients with acute kidney injury and patients treated with hemodialysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used HCU to provide essential information about volume status which is otherwise not readily available. HCU allowed objective assessment of volume status, helping with clinical management of hospitalized patients and potentially avoiding harm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCU can complement physical examination for volume assessment in hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury or those on hemodialysis. Our report highlights the need for systematic research in this area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Kathryn D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toth-Manikowski
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martire
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shafi
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D001810:Blood Volume; D059347:Cardio-Renal Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009846:Oliguria / Q000209:etiology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014690:Venous Pressure
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents