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Case Presentation: 28 year old woman from South Africa presents with 5 days of body weakness, nausea, vomiting and cough. BP 86/38, HR 142, RR 36, Temp 101.4 (oral) Sats 96% on RA. PMH: HIV+ last CD4=33, on HAART, history of pulmonary TB which was treated 2 years ago.
Clinical Question: The CT scanner, Xray and labs are down. What work-up can you do to best manage this patient?
Answer: The FASH Exam (Focused Assessment with Sonography for TB-HIV)
Technique: 6 probe positions--Similar to the FAST exam but with additional evaluation of the liver, the aorta, the spleen, as well as evaluation for pleural effusions over the diaphragm.
Evaluate for extrapulmonary TB (EPTB):
-Pericardial/Pleural effusion and ascites
-Periportal/para-aortic lymph nodes
-Focal liver and spleen lesions
(Go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3554543/ to view images of probe position.)
Bottom Line: The FASH exam can be taught to physicians with limited to no ultrasound experience. If there is concern for EPTB in an undifferentiated hypotensive patient, the FASH exam can performed in the emergency setting and treatment can be started.
University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health
Author: Laura Diegelmann, MD RDMS
References
- Heller T, Goblirsch S, et al. Diagnostic value of FASH ultrasound and chest X-ray in HIV-co-infected patients with abdominal tuberculosis. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013 Mar; 17(3):342-4.
- Heller T , Wallrauch C, et al. Focused assessment with sonography for HIV-associated tuberculosis (FASH): a short protocol and a pictorial review. Crit Ultrasound J. 2012; 4(1): 21.