Potential of a hand-held ultrasound in assessment of the injured patient

Current studies indicate that portable ultrasound used by trained trauma su rgeons in the emergency room can be performed using the focused abdominal s onogram for trauma technique in approximately 2 minutes to evaluate patient s with blunt torso trauma. It has been shown to be as accurate as DPL and c omputed tomography (CT) in the detection of hemoperitoneum following abdomi nal trauma. It is also very accurate in detecting pericardial fluid and may have a role in the evaluation of penetrating injuries of the thorax, eithe r from stab or gunshot wounds. The examination is best performed early on i n-the secondary survey of the injured patient. Miniaturization and hand-hel d ultrasound units are on the horizon. The faculty of the University of Was hington in Seattle in conjunction with the Advanced Technology Laboratories in Seattle and the Advanced Research Project Agency of the Department of D efense are producing a battlefield hand-held ultrasound with the ultimate g oal to have an ultrasound unit that will fit in the trauma surgeon's pocket . With the use of this new technology, the potential for early diagnosis of victims of trauma and prompt treatment is at hand. One of the greatest cha llenges remaining is that of training surgeons in the use of ultrasound. Th e author's experience in conducting ultrasound courses for surgeons at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is described. (C) 1998 The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. Published by Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.