Point of Care Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Cold Abscess - Case Report with a Literature Review

Chest ultrasound is radiation exposure-free, portable, non-invasive, and cost-efficient technology, which could be used in areas where there is a limitation of cross-sectional imaging.The advent of affordable, portable ultrasound devices has led to increasing use of point-of-care ultrasound for the diagnosis of many infectious diseases.As a result, chest imaging plays a central role in the diagnostic process.Tuberculosis is a disease that continues to cause mortality worldwide.Therefore, radiologists must use all diagnostic tools to assess the disease to provide clear instructions for initiating tuberculosis treatment and reduce the risk of transmitting tuberculosis disease and its complications, particularly in countries where the disease is still present.The diagnosis of chest wall tuberculosis is suspected by a clinical examination (including general or pleuropulmonary symptoms and the radiological findings) and confirmed bacteriologically.In addition, the diagnosis of chest wall tuberculosis and radiological findings, particularly in endemic areas, should be discussed before commencing treatment.A needle aspiration biopsy appears to be the procedure of choice in detecting acid-fast bacilli in direct smear or culture.Medical management combines treatment with surgery or drainage.This case report describes the use of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnosis of a cold abscess.