POCUS Literature & FOAMed Guide

FAST / eFAST

Landmark Literature

• Rozycki GS, et al. A prospective study of surgeon-performed ultrasound as the primary adjuvant modality for injured patient assessment. Journal of Trauma. 1995;39(3):492-500.
• Rozycki GS, et al. Surgeon-performed ultrasound for the assessment of truncal injuries: lessons learned from 1540 patients. Annals of Surgery. 1998;228(4):557-567.
• Scalea TM, et al. Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST): results from an international consensus conference. Journal of Trauma. 1999;46(3):466-472.

Emerging Literature

• Diagnostic accuracy of E-FAST examination performed by newly trained emergency physicians and its impact on clinical outcomes. BMC Emergency Medicine. 2025.
• Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma in the Emergency Department: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(10):3457.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — FAST
• Core Ultrasound — eFAST
• POCUS 101 — eFAST Guide

Aorta / Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

Landmark Literature

• Kuhn M, et al. Emergency department ultrasound scanning for abdominal aortic aneurysm: accessible, accurate, and advantageous. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2000;36(3):219-223.
• Tayal VS, Graf CD, Gibbs MA. Prospective study of accuracy and outcome of emergency ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm over two years. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2003;10(8):867-871.
• Rubano E, Mehta N, Caputo W, Paladino L, Sinert R. Systematic review: emergency department bedside ultrasonography for diagnosing suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2013;20(2):128-138.

Emerging Literature

• Fernando SM, et al. Accuracy of presenting symptoms, physical examination, and imaging for diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: systematic review and meta-analysis. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2022;29(4):487-500.
• Point-of-care ultrasound in the precision diagnosis and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms in emergency medicine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Ultrasound. 2025.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Core Ultrasound — Aorta
• The POCUS Atlas — Aorta

Basic Cardiac POCUS (Focused Cardiac Ultrasound)

Landmark Literature

• Plummer D, et al. Emergency department echocardiography improves outcome in penetrating cardiac injury. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 1992;21(6):709-712.
• Rozycki GS, et al. The role of ultrasound in patients with possible penetrating cardiac wounds: a prospective multicenter study. Journal of Trauma. 1999;46(4):543-552.
• Mandavia DP, et al. Bedside echocardiography by emergency physicians. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2001;38(4):377-382.
• Perera P, et al. The RUSH exam: Rapid Ultrasound in SHock in the evaluation of the critically ill. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2010;28(1):29-56.

Emerging Literature

• SHoC-ED investigators. Does point-of-care ultrasound use impact resuscitation length, rates of intervention, and clinical outcomes during cardiac arrest? 2019, with continued analysis through 2023-2024.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Echocardiography / RUSH
• EMCrit — Resuscitation & Cardiac Ultrasound
• Ultrasound GEL Podcast

Biliary Ultrasound

Landmark Literature

• Ralls PW, et al. Real-time sonography in suspected acute cholecystitis: prospective evaluation of primary and secondary signs. Radiology. 1985;155(3):767-771.
• Summers SM, et al. A prospective evaluation of emergency department bedside ultrasonography for the detection of acute cholecystitis. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2010;56(2):114-122.
• Lahham S, Becker BA, Gari A, et al. Utility of common bile duct measurement in ED point of care ultrasound: a prospective study. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2018;36(6):962-966.

Emerging Literature

• Test characteristics of emergency medicine-performed point-of-care ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2024.
• Joyce K, et al. Point-of-care ultrasound to diagnose acute cholecystitis in the emergency department: a scoping review. 2024.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Gallbladder
• POCUS 101 — Abdominal Ultrasound Guide

Renal Ultrasound / Hydronephrosis

Landmark Literature

• Herbst MK, et al. Effect of provider experience on clinician-performed ultrasonography for hydronephrosis in patients with suspected renal colic. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2014;64(3):269-273.
• Smith-Bindman R, et al. Ultrasonography versus computed tomography for suspected nephrolithiasis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2014;371(12):1100-1110.
• Edmonds ML, et al. The utility of renal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of renal colic in emergency department patients. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2010;12(3):201-206.
• Wong C, et al. The accuracy and prognostic value of point-of-care ultrasound for nephrolithiasis in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2018;25(6):684-698.

Emerging Literature

• Point-of-care ultrasound for the detection of hydronephrosis in emergency department patients with suspected renal colic. The Ultrasound Journal. 2020;12:31.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Renal Ultrasound
• POCUS 101 — Renal Ultrasound Guide

DVT (2-Point Compression Ultrasound)

Landmark Literature

• Jang T, Docherty M, Aubin C, Polites G. Resident-performed compression ultrasonography for the detection of proximal deep vein thrombosis: fast and accurate. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2004;11(3):319-322.
• Theodoro D, et al. Real-time B-mode ultrasound in the ED saves time in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2004;22(3):197-200.
• Bernardi E, et al. Serial 2-point ultrasonography plus D-dimer vs whole-leg color-coded Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosing suspected symptomatic deep vein thrombosis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008;300(14):1653-1659.
• Crisp JG, Lovato LM, Jang TB. Compression ultrasonography of the lower extremity with portable vascular ultrasonography can accurately detect deep venous thrombosis in the emergency department. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2010;56(6):601-610.

Emerging Literature

• Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) diagnostics: gleaning insights from point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) techniques in emergencies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Ultrasound Journal. 2024.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — DVT
• Core Ultrasound — DVT

First-Trimester Pregnancy / Intrauterine Pregnancy (IUP)

Landmark Literature

• Mateer JR, et al. Outcome analysis of a protocol including bedside endovaginal sonography in patients at risk for ectopic pregnancy. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 1996;27(3):283-289.
• Burgher SW, Tandy TK, Dawdy MR. Transvaginal ultrasonography by emergency physicians decreases patient time in the emergency department. Academic Emergency Medicine. 1998;5(8):802-807.
• Doubilet PM, et al. Diagnostic criteria for nonviable pregnancy early in the first trimester. New England Journal of Medicine. 2013;369(15):1443-1451.

Emerging Literature

• Point-of-care ultrasound by emergency physicians for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies: how good are we? Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2024.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Early Pregnancy
• POCUS 101 — Pregnancy Ultrasound

Soft Tissue & Basic MSK Ultrasound

Landmark Literature

• Squire BT, Fox JC, Anderson C. ABSCESS: applied bedside sonography for convenient evaluation of superficial soft tissue infections. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2005;12(7):601-606.
• Tayal VS, et al. The effect of soft-tissue ultrasound on the management of cellulitis in the emergency department. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2006;13(4):384-388.

Emerging Literature

• Point of care ultrasound use by associate providers for differentiating abscess versus cellulitis skin and soft tissue infection in the emergency department. Journal of Emergency Medicine.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Soft Tissue Ultrasound
• ACEP SonoGuide — Abscess Evaluation

Ocular Ultrasound

Landmark Literature

• Blaivas M, Theodoro D, Sierzenski PR. A study of bedside ocular ultrasonography in the emergency department. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2002;9(8):791-799.
• Blaivas M, Theodoro D, Sierzenski PR. Elevated intracranial pressure detected by bedside emergency ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2003;10(4):376-381.
• Shinar Z, Chan L, Orlinsky M. Use of ocular ultrasound for the evaluation of retinal detachment. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2011;41(5):472-478.

Emerging Literature

• Ultrasound-based measurement of optic nerve sheath to evaluate increased intracranial pressure in patients in the emergency department. Frontiers in Neurology. 2025.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Ocular Emergencies
• POCUS 101 — Ocular Ultrasound Guide

Procedural Guidance: Vascular Access

Landmark Literature

• Keyes LE, et al. Ultrasound-guided brachial and basilic vein cannulation in emergency department patients with difficult intravenous access. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 1999;34(6):711-714.
• Costantino TG, et al. Ultrasonography-guided peripheral intravenous access versus traditional approaches in patients with difficult intravenous access. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2005;46(5):456-461.

Emerging Literature

• The efficacy of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulation versus the landmark technique in emergency department patients with difficult intravenous access: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2026.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Vascular Access
• Highland Ultrasound — Procedures

Advanced Echocardiography (RV Strain, IVC, Valvular Assessment)

Landmark Literature

• Kircher BJ, Himelman RB, Schiller NB. Noninvasive estimation of right atrial pressure from the inspiratory collapse of the inferior vena cava. American Journal of Cardiology. 1990;66(4):493-496.
• McConnell MV, et al. Regional right ventricular dysfunction detected by echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism. American Journal of Cardiology. 1996;78(4):469-473.
• Fields JM, et al. Transthoracic echocardiography for diagnosing pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2017;30(7):714-723.

Emerging Literature

• Alerhand S, Adrian RJ, Long B, Avila J. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) for risk stratification and prognostication of patients with pulmonary embolism. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2020;58(3):449-456.
• Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of acute valvular emergencies. American Journal of Cardiology. 2024.
• Inferior vena cava ultrasonography in the assessment of intravascular volume status and fluid responsiveness in the emergency department and intensive care unit: a critical analysis review.

FOAMed Resources

• EMCrit — IVC & RV Strain
• ACEP SonoGuide — Advanced Applications

Lung Ultrasound (Pneumothorax, B-Lines / Pulmonary Edema)

Landmark Literature

• Lichtenstein D, Menu Y. A bedside ultrasound sign ruling out pneumothorax in the critically ill: lung sliding. Chest. 1995;108(5):1345-1348.
• Soldati G, et al. Occult traumatic pneumothorax: diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasonography in the emergency department. Chest. 2008;133(1):204-211.
• Lichtenstein D, et al. The comet-tail artifact: an ultrasound sign of alveolar-interstitial syndrome. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 1997;156(5):1640-1646.
• Lichtenstein DA, Mezière GA. Relevance of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute respiratory failure: the BLUE protocol. Chest. 2008;134(1):117-125.

Emerging Literature

• Diagnostic performance of automatic B-lines detection for evaluating pulmonary edema in the emergency department among novice point-of-care ultrasound practitioners. 2024-2025.

FOAMed Resources

• Core Ultrasound — Lung
• POCUS 101 — Lung Ultrasound Guide

Advanced Airway Ultrasound

Landmark Literature

• Adhikari S, et al. Pilot study to determine the utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the assessment of difficult laryngoscopy. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2011;18(7):754-758.
• Kristensen MS, et al. A randomised cross-over comparison of the transverse and longitudinal techniques for ultrasound-guided identification of the cricothyroid membrane in morbidly obese subjects. Anaesthesia. 2016;71(6):675-683.

Emerging Literature

• Point-of-care ultrasound for airway management in the emergency and critical care setting. 2024.
• Real-time identification of cricothyrotomy landmarks in emergency care and obstetric patients using wireless handheld ultrasound and edge-computing artificial intelligence. Journal of Medical Systems. 2025.

FOAMed Resources

• Highland Ultrasound — Airway
• EMCrit — Airway Ultrasound

Advanced MSK & Nerve Blocks

Landmark Literature

• Beaudoin FL, Haran JP, Liebmann O. A comparison of ultrasound-guided three-in-one femoral nerve block versus parenteral opioids alone for analgesia in emergency department patients with hip fractures: a randomized controlled trial. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2013;20(6):584-591.

Emerging Literature

• Ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block for older adults admitted to the emergency department with hip fracture: a randomized controlled, double-blind clinical trial. BMC Geriatrics. 2021.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Femoral Nerve Block
• The POCUS Atlas — Nerve Block Atlas

Testicular & Ovarian Torsion

Landmark Literature

• Blaivas M, Sierzenski P, Lambert M. Emergency evaluation of patients presenting with acute scrotum using bedside ultrasonography. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2001;8(1):90-93.
• Waldert M, Klatte T, Schmidbauer J, Remzi M, Lackner J, Marberger M. Color Doppler sonography reliably identifies testicular torsion in boys. Urology. 2010;75(5):1170-1174.
• Yagil Y, et al. Role of Doppler ultrasonography in the triage of acute scrotum in the emergency department. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2010;29(1):11-21.
• Vijayaraghavan SB. Sonographic whirlpool sign in ovarian torsion. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2004;23(12):1643-1649.
• Swenson DW, Lourenco AP, Beaudoin FL, Grand DJ, Killelea AG, McGregor AJ. Ovarian torsion: case-control study comparing the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography and computed tomography for diagnosis in the emergency department. European Journal of Radiology. 2014;83(4):733-738.

Emerging Literature

• Accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound by pediatric emergency physicians for testicular torsion. 2019, with subsequent validation through 2023.
• Rapid testicular salvage in the emergency department using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). International Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2025.

FOAMed Resources

• POCUS 101 — GU Ultrasound
• The POCUS Atlas — GU / OB-GYN

Small Bowel Obstruction

Landmark Literature

• Jang TB, Schindler D, Kaji AH. Bedside ultrasonography for the detection of small bowel obstruction in the emergency department. Emergency Medicine Journal. 2011;28(8):676-678.

Emerging Literature

• Multi-center analysis of point-of-care ultrasound for small bowel obstruction: a systematic review and individual patient-level meta-analysis. 2023.
• Singer AJ, et al. Can point-of-care ultrasound speed up time to diagnosis for small bowel obstruction? Academic Emergency Medicine. 2022.

FOAMed Resources

• Core Ultrasound — Abdominal
• POCUS 101 — Abdominal Ultrasound Guide

Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter (ONSD) / Intracranial Pressure

Landmark Literature

• Blaivas M, Theodoro D, Sierzenski PR. Elevated intracranial pressure detected by bedside emergency ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2003;10(4):376-381.
• Kimberly HH, Shah S, Marill K, Noble V. Correlation of optic nerve sheath diameter with direct measurement of intracranial pressure. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2008;15(2):201-204.

Emerging Literature

• Ultrasound-based measurement of optic nerve sheath to evaluate increased intracranial pressure in patients in the emergency department. Frontiers in Neurology. 2025.
• Using optic nerve sheath diameter for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in traumatic brain injury: a scoping review. 2024.

FOAMed Resources

• EMCrit / PulmCrit — ICP Algorithm with Ocular Sonography
• POCUS 101 — Ocular / ONSD Guide

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS)

CEUS in emergency medicine is a genuinely emerging application; there is not yet a long-standing landmark literature base.

Emerging Literature

• Donner, et al. Contrast-enhanced point-of-care ultrasound for the evaluation of stable blunt abdominal trauma by the emergency physician: a prospective diagnostic study. JACEP Open. 2024.
• Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in traumatic solid organ injuries in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025.

FOAMed Resources

• ACEP SonoGuide — Advanced Applications

Resuscitative Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

Landmark Literature

• Arntfield R, Pace J, McLeod S. Focused transesophageal echocardiography for emergency physicians—description and results from simulation training of a structured four-view examination. Critical Ultrasound Journal. 2015;7:27.

Emerging Literature

• Feasibility of resuscitative transesophageal echocardiography at out-of-hospital emergency scenes of cardiac arrest. Scientific Reports. 2023.
• Transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac arrest: from the emergency department to the intensive care unit. Resuscitation. 2024.

FOAMed Resources

• EMCrit — Resuscitative TEE