Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound reveals unexpected, life-threatening findings in two children.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade can at times be elusive in pediatric patients since it is relatively uncommon. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can readily be performed at the bedside to assess for the presence of a pericardial effusion, tamponade, and can occasionally yield unexpected results.

CASE PRESENTATION: Two cases where POCUS unexpectedly identified pericardial effusions, with one patient who also had an anterior mediastinal mass.

CONCLUSIONS: Though underutilized, cardiac POCUS in children can be immediately life-saving and drastically change the clinical management at the patient's bedside.