Emergency ultrasound in trauma patients

Unstable patients with free fluid detected by sonography often can be triaged to the operation room without further imaging tests. In patients who are more stable or in whom ultrasound results are negative, CT is required. The focus of the ultrasound exam is in detection of free fluid, but based on recent studies, sonography has a sensitivity rate of approximately 40% in direct detection of solid organ injuries. In the future, however, with the use of contrast-enhanced agents, sonography may more reliably detect solid organ injuries. Within the chest, ultrasound has been shown to be helpful in detecting pleural effusions and may be useful in detecting pericardial effusions. Ultrasound has been shown to be sensitive in detecting pneumothoraces in traumatized patients.