DIAGNOSTIC-IMAGING OF ABDOMINAL-TRAUMA

In Europe ultrasonography has displaced diagnostic peritoneal ravage ( DPL) in the primary survey of polytraumatized patients with suspected abdominal trauma. Hemodynamically unstable patients who are brought to the emergency room with blunt abdominal trauma will go directly to th e operating room after a rapid ultrasonography examination with eviden ce of hemoperitoneum. In hemodynamically stable patients, in addition to ultrasonography, computed tomography can be done. This is especiall y efficient if evaluation with sonography is not completely possible o r shows little pathology (e.g. small amounts of hemoperitoneum).