The Efficacy of Emergency Ultrasonography in Blunt Abdominal Trauma.
- Author:
Ji Young YOU
1
;
Suk Jin CHO
;
Ok Kyoung CHOI
;
Koo Young JUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Blunt abdominal trauma;
Ultrasonography
- MeSH:
Emergencies*;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Humans;
Peritoneal Lavage;
Retrospective Studies;
Sensitivity and Specificity;
Ultrasonography*
- From:Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
1999;56(3):362-368
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma is clinically challenging. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and computed tomographic (CT) scanning have become primary diagnostic modalities. We examined the efficacy and the role of ultrasonographic (US) studies in the initial abdominal evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS: We, therefore, retrospectively reviewed 87 patients who sustained blunt abdominal trauma from October 1996 to August 1997. RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed a sensitivity of 89.7% and a specificity of 98.3%. The accuracy was 95.4%. The positive predictive value was 96.3%, and the negative predictive value was 95.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography saves time and money, can be performed in the emergency department, shows high sensitivity and specificity, and is the best method of first choice in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. We believe that abdominal US should be considered an important tool and an integral part in the work-up for major trauma victims.
