# name
POCUS Examination of the Mediastinum in Children: A Simplified and Standardized Protocol for Pulmonary Tuberculosis

# metadata.dc.description.abstract[].value
Background: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for mediastinal assessment in children, particularly in resource-limited settings where advanced radiological options such as computed tomography (CT) scans are often unavailable. In high-income countries, POCUS is gaining traction as a complementary imaging method, offering a safer, radiation-free alternative.
Methods: To overcome the operator-dependent nature of mediastinal POCUS, a standardized protocol was developed. The protocol includes clear techniques and detailed descriptions of normal and pathological findings, aiming to enhance consistency and diagnostic accuracy.
Results: The standardized protocol improved reliability in mediastinal POCUS assessments, especially in the context of paediatric pulmonary tuberculosis, a condition often marked by lymph node involvement. Given the challenges of obtaining respiratory samples in children and their typically low diagnostic yield, POCUS emerged as a particularly suitable diagnostic modality.
Conclusions: Mediastinal POCUS, guided by a standardized protocol, represents a safe, affordable, point-of-care, and non-ionizing option for identifying mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Its application holds promise for improving the diagnosis of paediatric tuberculosis, especially in settings with limited access to advanced radiological imaging.

# metadata.dc.rights[].value
cc-by (c) Munyangaju, Isabelle et al., 2025

# metadata.dc.source[].value
Articles publicats en revistes (Medicina)

# metadata.dc.title[].value
POCUS Examination of the Mediastinum in Children: A Simplified and Standardized Protocol for Pulmonary Tuberculosis