Focused assessment with sonography for HIV-associated tuberculosis (FASH) case series from a Rwandan district hospital.

Publication/Presentation Date

12-1-2016

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The majority of HIV-TB co-infection worldwide is reported in Africa. The risk of developing extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) increases as immune deficiency progresses but is difficult to diagnose. Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) can be an effective adjunct to identify and treat EPTB-associated findings using the focused assessment with sonography for HIV-associated TB (FASH) protocol.

CASE REPORT: Three HIV-infected patients without known history of EPTB presented to a Rwandan district hospital with fever and unclear infection. Initial testing did not reveal a source. Each patient was then evaluated with the FASH protocol by a Rwandan emergency physician with POCUS training. All patients had findings suggestive of EPTB by ultrasound. Anti-TB treatment was initiated, and all subsequently demonstrated symptom improvement.

DISCUSSION: This case series demonstrates the additional clinical information obtained. It describes how management was changed using POCUS and the FASH in a resource-limited setting in Rwanda and calls for further FASH protocol validation studies.

Volume

6

Issue

4

First Page

198

Last Page

201

ISSN

2211-4203

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

30456095

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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