B. Partik et al., SONOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSTICS OF ABDOMINAL-TR AUMA - EVALUATION OF PRIMARY FINDINGS IN EMERGENCY ROOM PATIENTS, Ultraschall in der Medizin, 18(1), 1997, pp. 35-38
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging",Acoustics
Aim: To evaluate sonography as a tool for initial diagnosis in emergen
cy room patients with abdominal trauma. Method: 174 cases of abdominal
trauma were selected from 1837 emergency care patients. The initial s
onographic findings were compared to CT-evaluation, operative and auto
psy results, and both clinical and sonographic follow-up. Results: In
31 cases initial sonographic findings were positive, leading to 6 lapa
rotomies. In another 6 cases, changes of follow-up sonographic testing
led to laparotomy. In 143 patients, the initial sonographic evaluatio
n was negative. In this group, follow-up evaluation revealed changes i
n 16 cases leading to 3 laparotomies. In 8 patients with stab injuries
, the negative sonographic study was confirmed by operative findings.
Conclusion: Sonography is a well-tested diagnostic method in evaluatin
g patients with abdominal trauma. Follow-up examinations - even with n
egative initial results - are needed. While the time interval between
evaluations depends on the individual risk factors, hourly reevaluatio
n is generally appropriate.