Value of emergency bedside ultrasound in diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma

Abstract

Objective To discuss the value of emergency bedside ultrasound in diagnose of blunt abdominal injury. Methods Portable ultrasound was used in 184 patients with blunt abdominal trauma in emergency department. The abnormal changes of the sound and image of the abdomen were observed,paying equal attention to free intraperitoneal fluid and gas. Results The emergency bedside ultrasound identified 169 (91.8%) patients with blunt abdominal injury, of whom 149 patients (95.5%) with single-organ injury and 20 patients (71.4%) with multi-organ injury. There were 21 patients missed diagnosis and three misdiagnosed, with rate of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of 13%. Surgical treatment was performed in 119 patients and conservative treatment in 65, which were proved by CT/MRI examination or clinic conservative treatment. Conclusion Emergency bedside ultrasound can provide fast and credible diagnostic information for blunt abdominal trauma, with high diagnosis accordance rate. Key words: Abdominal injuries, closed; Ultrasonography, Doppler, color; Emergency treatment