Page 46 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Spring 2017

Figure 4 Comparison of common femoral artery and vein Figure 5 Comparison of parasternal long cardiac view.
images. (A) Standard ultrasound gel. (B) Glucomannan- (A) Standard ultrasound gel. (B) Glucomannan-based gel.
based gel.

(A)
(A)

(B)
(B)

Disclaimer
nonsterile gel can exhibit bacterial contamination over The opinions or assertions contained herein are the pri-
time and with exposure to the elements. 11
vate views of the author and are not to be construed as
official or reflecting the views of the Department of the
This transmission gel alternative is highly portable, Army or the Department of Defense. The author has no
lightweight, cost effective, and is easy to make and use, relationships to disclose regarding this product. This is
while also allowing the sonographer the ability to ob- not, and in no way, should be construed as an endorse-
tain high-fidelity imaging without compromising image ment of this product by the Department of the Army or
quality. These benefits of glucomannan should be of Department of Defense.
particular interest to those medical personnel who oper-
ate in austere environments such as remote wilderness
settings, tactical/operational settings, or space, where Disclosure
supplies and logistical area may be limited to what can The author has no financial interests in the products
be carried; or those who may have limited mobile as- contained within this work to disclose.
sets and those operating in locations where resupply is
difficult or nonexistent. Although these images and the References
author’s experience suggest glucomannan-based gel is
a suitable alternative, prospective studies designed to 1. Russell TC, Crawford PF. Ultrasound in the austere environ-
formally evaluate the quality of images obtained with ment: a review of the history, indications, and specifications.
Mil Med. 2013;178:21–28.
glucomannan powder compared with commercially 2. Nelson BP, Melnick ER, Li J. Portable ultrasound for remote
available ultrasound gel and other proposed gel alterna- environments, Part I: feasibility of field deployment. J Emerg
tives, are recommended. Med. 2011;40:190–197.

24 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 17, Edition 1/Spring 2017