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What is the FASH Exam?
- Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV/TB
- A new exam suitable for rapid identification of extrapulmonary TB
Submitted by Dr. Laura Diegelmann
Additional Information
- The majority of HIV-TB co-infection cases (78%) are reported in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Extra-pulmonary TB risk increases as immune deficiency progresses.
- Ultrasonography can be helpful in identifying extra-pulmonary TB-associated findings in the patient with HIV.
- The FASH exam (Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV/TB).
- 20% of all TB is extrapulmonary TB (EPTB).
- High percent of these patients have sputum negative smears for mycobacterium.
- In the setting of advanced HIV the diagnosis of EPTB may be difficult do to atypical clinical presentations, undiagnosed HIV and infection at occult sights where sputum testing will be negative.
- Rational for FAST exam-
- Expedite diagnosis
- Earlier initiation of TB treatment which improves M&M
References
- Heller T, Wallrauch C, Goblirsch S, Brunetti E. Focused assessment with sonography for HIV-associated tuberculosis (FASH): a short protocol and a pictorial review. Crit Ultrasound 2012;4:21
- Heller T, Wallrauch C, Lessells RJ, Goblirsch S, Brunetti E. Short report: Short course for Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV/TB: Preliminary Results in a Rural Setting in South Africa with High Prevalence of HIV and TB. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010;82:512-5.