J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2001 Mar;12(1):57-63.

Emergency Ultrasonography in Unconscious Trauma Victims

• Cheon YJ
• Ryu JY
• Eo EK
• Jung KY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity of the ultrasound examination performed by emergency physicians in patients with altered mental state due to trauma.
METHODS
From July 1998 until June 2000, a total number of 59 patients showing altered mental state were examined using emergency ultrasound at the time of primary survey. Their medical records were reviewed, and the interpretations of the emergency ultrasound were compared with the abdominal CT scan or clinical results.
RESULTS
Of the 59 patients, 3 were excluded due to incomplete records. Among the 56 remaining patients, 9 patients had intra-abdominal problems. The sensitivity and specificity were 77% and 95.7%, respectively. Abdominal CT was not required in 41 (73.2%) patients.
CONCLUSION
Emergency ultrasonography can serve as a useful screening tool in detecting free fluid in trauma victims who are not mentally alert.

Keyword

Emergency ultrasound; Abdominal trauma

MeSH Terms

Emergencies*
Humans
Mass Screening
Medical Records
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ultrasonography*