Theory and Basics

Abstract

Bedside ultrasound (US) was introduced to the emergency department more than 20 years ago. Since this time, many new applications have evolved to aid the emergency physician in diagnostic, procedural, and therapeutic interventions and the scope of bedside ultrasound continues to grow. Many US scanning techniques easily translate from adult applications to the pediatric population. Consequently, US has been adopted by many pediatric emergency providers. This article reviews the use of bedside ultrasound in pediatric emergency medicine.