Contribution of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) at the bedside

Bedside ultrasound, or Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), is now establishing itself as an innovative and accessible tool for medical diagnosis. Noninvasive, radiation-free, and requiring only relatively brief training, it enables rapid assessment directly at the patient's bedside, which is particularly useful in emergency situations or in resource-limited settings.Given the difficulties in accessing conventional imaging techniques in many countries, POCUS represents a valuable alternative, particularly for the evaluation of lower respiratory tract infections. Thanks to its sensitivity, it enables the early detection of certain pulmonary abnormalities, thereby facilitating patient management and follow-up.This book presents a study conducted at the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the Point G University Hospital in Bamako, aimed at evaluating the contribution of POCUS to the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections. It highlights the growing importance of this technique in daily clinical practice in Africa.