This document discusses the use of emergency ultrasound in trauma patients. It presents a clinical case of a 62-year-old male who slipped on ice and experienced pain in his lower chest. Bedside ultrasound revealed a liver laceration and 500cc of blood in the peritoneal cavity. The document then reviews diagnostic modalities for blunt abdominal trauma such as diagnostic peritoneal lavage, CT scan, and focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST). It provides details on performing and interpreting the FAST exam, including views of the right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, and pelvis. The document concludes with a discussion of using ultrasound to detect occult penetrating cardiac trauma.

1. Emergency UltrasoundEmergency Ultrasound
inin
TraumaTrauma
Anthony J Weekes MD,Anthony J Weekes MD,
RDMSRDMS
Janet G. Alteveer, MDJanet G. Alteveer, MD
Sarah Stahmer, MD

2. Clinical CaseClinical Case
GR is a 62 y male who hit his right torso
when he slipped on an icy sidewalk. He
denies head trauma, and can walk
without a limp. Two hours later the pain
in his lower chest has increased he
comes to the ED.

3. Clinical CaseClinical Case
PE: BP116/72, pulse109, RR 24.
There is a minor abrasion to right lateral
chest, which is tender to palpation.
Diffuse mild abdominal tenderness.
Meds: Coumadin for irregular heartbeat

4. Clinical CaseClinical Case
 2 large IV’s placed,
CXR done. Blood
tests sent.
 Bedside ultrasound
done.
 CXR revealed lower
rib fractures, no HTX
or PTX

5. Clinical CaseClinical Case
FFP ordered and OR notified.
He is found to have a liver laceration
and 500 cc of blood in the peritoneal
cavity.

6. Diagnostic Modalities in BluntDiagnostic Modalities in Blunt
Abdominal TraumaAbdominal Trauma
Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage (DPL)
CAT Scan
Ultrasound (FAST exam)

7. Diagnostic Peritoneal LavageDiagnostic Peritoneal Lavage
 Advantages
– Very sensitive for
identifying intra-
peritoneal blood
– 106
RBC/mm3
approx.
20 ml blood in 1L
lavage fluid
– Can be done at the
bedside
– Can be done in 10-15
minutes
 Disadvantages
– Overly sensitive, may
result in too high a
laparotomy rate
– Invasive
– Difficult in pregnancy,
or with many prior
surgeries
– Can not be repeated

8. CT ScanCT Scan
 Advantages
– Identifies specific
injuries
– Good for hollow viscus
and retroperitoneal
injury
– High sensitivity and
specificity
 Disadvantages
– Expensive equipment
– 30-60 minutes to
complete study
– Only for stable
patients
– Not for pregnant
patients

9. FAST
Focused Abdominal
Sonography in Trauma

10. FASTFAST
 Advantages
– Can be performed in 5
minutes at the bedside
– Non-invasive
– Repeat exams
– Sensitivity and
specificity for free
fluid equal to DPL and
CT
 Disadvantages
– Operator dependent
– May not identify
specific injury
– Poor for hollow viscus
or retroperitoneal
injury
– Obesity, subcutaneous
air may interfere with
exam

11. FAST PrinciplesFAST Principles
 Detects free
intraperitoneal fluid
 Blood/fluid pools in
dependent areas
 Pelvis
– Most dependent
 Hepatorenal fossa
– Most dependent area in
supramesocolic region

12. FAST PrinciplesFAST Principles
 Pelvis and Supra-
mesocolic areas
communicate
– Phrenicolic ligament
prevents flow
 Liver/spleen injury
– Represents 2/3 of cases of
blunt abdominal trauma

13. FAST- principlesFAST- principles
Intraperitoneal fluid may be
– Blood
– Preexisting ascites
– Urine
– Intestinal contents

14. FAST – limitationsFAST – limitations
US relatively insensitive for detecting
traumatic abdominal organ injury
Fluid may pool at variable rates
– Minimum volume for US detection
– Multiple views at multiple sites
– Serial exams: repeat exam if there is a change
in clinical picture
Operator dependent

15. Evidence supporting use ofEvidence supporting use of
FASTFAST
Multiple studies in USA by EM and trauma
surgeons
Studies from Europe and Japan
Policy statements by specialty organizations

16. Emergency department ultrasound in the
evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.
Jehle, D., et al, Am J Emerg Med, 1993
– Single view of Morison’s pouch in 44 patients
– Performed by physicians after 2 weeks training
– US compared to DPL and laparotomy
– Sensitivity 81.8%
– Specificity 93.9%

17. Trauma surgical studyTrauma surgical study
A prospective study of surgeon-
performed ultrasound as the primary
adjuvant modality of injured patient
assessment. 1994 Rozycki et al.
N=358 patients
Outcomes used: US detection of
hemoperitoneum/pericardial effusion

18. ResultsResults
53/358 (15%) patients w/ free fluid on
“gold standard”
All patients: Sens 81.5%, spec 99.7%
Blunt trauma: Sens 78.6%, spec 100%
PPV 98.1%, NPV 96.2%
Overall accuracy was 96.5% for detection
of hemoperitoneum or pericardium

19. Trauma StudyTrauma Study
Rozycki G, et al 1998 Surgeon-performed
ultrasound for the assessment of truncal
injuries. Lessons learned from 1540 patients
FAST exam on patients with precordial or
transthoracic wounds or blunt abdominal
trauma

20. Protocol:
+ Pericardial fluid OR
Stable CT
+IP fluid
Unstable OR
 Results
– N= 1540 pts, 80/1540 (5%) with FF
– Overall: Sens 83.3%, Spec 99.7%
– PPV 95%, NPV 99%
– Precordial/Transthor : Sens 100%, Spec 99.3%
– Hypotensive BAT: Sens 100%, Spec 100%

21. FAST – Specialty SocietiesFAST – Specialty Societies
 Established clinical role in Europe, Australia,
Japan, Israel
 German Surgical Society requires candidates’
proficiency in ultrasound
 United States
– US in ATLS
– US policies by frontline specialties
 American College of Surgeons
 ACEP,SAEM & AAEM

22. FASTFAST
Perform during
– Resuscitation
– Physical exam
– Stabilization

23. EquipmentEquipment
Curved array
 Various “footprints”
– Small footprint for thorax
– Large for abdomen
 Variable frequencies
– 5.0 MHz: thin, child
– 3.5 MHz: versatile
– 2.0 MHz: cardiac, large
pts

24. Time to Complete ScanTime to Complete Scan
Each view: 30-60 seconds
Number of views dependent on clinical
question and findings on initial views
Total exam time usually < 3-5 minutes
1988 Armenian earthquake
– 400 trauma US scans in 72 hrs

25. Focused Abdominal SonographyFocused Abdominal Sonography
for Trauma (FAST)for Trauma (FAST)
 Consists of 4 views
– Subxiphoid
– Right Upper
Quadrant
– Left Upper
Quadrant
– Pouch of Douglas

26. FASTFAST
 Increased sensitivity with
increased number of views
 Will identify pleural
effusions
 Reliably detects as little as
50-100cc in the thorax
 Sensitivity >96%,
specificity 99-100%

27. Clinical experience with FASTClinical experience with FAST
Intraperitoneal fluid
– Sensitivity 82-98%, specificity 88-100%
Morison’s pouch alone 36-82% sensitivity
Increased sensitivity with
– Increasing number of views
– Trendelenberg
– Serial examinations
Can detect as little as 250cc of free fluid

28. Clinical ExperienceClinical Experience
Solid organ disruption
– 40% sensitivity for all organs
– 33-94% for splenic injury
Hollow viscus injury
– Sensitivity 57%
Retroperitoneal injury
– Sensitivity for identification of hemorrhage
<60%

29. RUQRUQ
 Probe at right thoraco-
abdominal junction
 Liver : large acoustic
window
 Probe marker cephalad
 Rib interference?
– Rotate 30°
counterclockwise

30. Scan PlaneScan Plane
 Same image if probe
positioned
– Anterior
– Mid axillary
– Posterior

31. RUQRUQ
 Image on screen:
– Liver cephalad
– Kidney inferiorly
– Morison’s Pouch*:
space between
Glisson’s capsule and
Gerota’s fascia
*
*
*
*

32. Normal RUQNormal RUQ
 Image kidney
– Longitudinally
– Transversely
 Two toned structure
– Cortex/medulla
– Renal sinus

33. Appearance of bloodAppearance of blood
 Fresh blood
– Anechoic (black)
 Coagulating blood
– First hypoechoic
– Later hyperechoic

34. Normal
Morison’s Pouch
Free fluid in
Morison’s
Pouch

41. Branney, S.W. et al: Quantitative sensitivity of
ultrasound in detecting free intraperitoneal
fluid J Trauma:1995: 39
Peritoneal lavage fluid infused in 100 patients
Simultaneous scan of Morison’s pouch
– By physicians ( Surgery,EM, Radiology)
– Blinded to volume and rate of infusion
– Mean volume of detection: 619cc
– Sensitivity at 1 liter: 97%
– 10% physicians detected less than 400cc

42. Caveat to Branney study:
– Artificial condition: infused fluid
– Fluid in Morison’s after pelvis overflow
Tiling et al :
– 200 -250ml detected by US
– Collection >0.5cm suggests over 500ml
Transvaginal/rectal
– 15ml of free intraperitoneal fluid
Volume Assessment by US

43. Detection of Fluid byDetection of Fluid by
UltrasoundUltrasound
 Affected by
positioning
 Location of bleed
 Rate of bleeding
 Operator Experience
 Value of sensitivity of
Ultrasound:
– Detects clinically
injuries
– Non-detection of fluid
 May indicate self-
limited bleeding

44. All Fluid is not BloodAll Fluid is not Blood
Ascites
Ruptured Ovarian Cyst
Lavage fluid
Urine from ruptured bladder

45. Mimics of Fluid in RUQMimics of Fluid in RUQ
Perinephric fat
– May be hypoechoic like blood
– Usually evenly layered along kidney
– If in doubt, compare to left kidney
Abdominal inflammation
– Widened extra-renal space
– Echogenicity of kidney becomes more like the
liver parenchyma

46. PitfallsPitfalls
RUQ
– Not attempting multiple probe placements
– Not placing the probe cephalad enough to use the
acoustic window of the liver
 Scanning too soon before enough blood has
accumulated
 Not repeating the scan

47. LUQLUQ
 Probe at left posterior
axillary line
 Near ribs 9 and 10
 Angle probe obliquely
(avoid ribs)

48. LUQ Scan PlaneLUQ Scan Plane
 More difficult
– Acoustic window
(spleen) is smaller than
liver
– Mild inspiration will
optimize image
– Bowel interference is
common

49. LUQ ScanLUQ Scan
spleen
kidney
*Splenorenal fossa – a potential space
*
*
*
*

50. Normal
Spleno-renal
view
Free fluid
around spleen

56. To Evaluate the ThoraxTo Evaluate the Thorax
 Move probe
– cephalad
– longitudinal
 Image
Liver
Diaphragm
Pleural space

57. HemothoraxHemothorax
liver
diaphragmfluid

58. Small Pleural EffusionSmall Pleural Effusion
Large Pleural Effusion

59. Ma O John, Mateer J, Trauma Ultrasound
Examination Versus Chest Radiography in the
Detection of Hemothorax
Ann Emerg Med: March 1997
 240 trauma US study patients
 26 had hemothorax ( CT or chest tube)
 CXR and US
– 0 false positive
– 1 false negative
– 25 true positive
– 214 true negative

60. Pelvic ViewPelvic View
 Probe should be
placed in the
suprapubic position
 Either can be
transverse or
longitudinal
 Helpful to image
before placement of
a Foley catheter

61. Pelvis (Long View)Pelvis (Long View)

62. Pelvis: TransversePelvis: Transverse

63. Normal
Transverse
pelvic
Fluid in pelvis

64. Pelvic View – SagittalPelvic View – Sagittal
 Fluid in front of the
bladder
 If bladder is empty
or Foley already
placed:
Trick of trade
– IV bag on abdomen
– Scan through bag
clot bladder

65. Blood in the PelvisBlood in the Pelvis

68. Free fluid in the pelvisFree fluid in the pelvis

69. FAST AlgorithmFAST Algorithm
Normal
Hemodynamic
Status
AlteredMS
ConfoundingInjury
GrossHematuria
HCT< 35%
Repeat U/S30’
HCTat 4h
Observe8h
US:
Freefluid?
Nonoperative
or
cirrhosis?
LAPAROTOMY
DPL
Abdominal CT
Peritoneal
Irritation?
DPL
NO
NO NO
US
Freefluid?
NO
Branney, et. al.
J Trauma, 1997
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO NO
YES

70. Ultrasound in the Detection of Injury
From Blunt or Penetrating Thoracic
Trauma

71. Penetrating ThoracicPenetrating Thoracic
InjuryInjury
Clinical challenge
– Where is the penetration?
– What was the weapon?
– What was the trajectory?
– What organ(s) have been injured?
– Improved outcomes in patients with normal or
near-normal vital signs

72. Penetrating CardiacPenetrating Cardiac
TraumaTrauma
Pericardial effusion
– May develop suddenly or surreptitiously
– May exist before clinical signs develop
Salvage rates better if detected before
hypotension develops

73. Clinical CaseClinical Case
QD is 37 year old male brought in by EMS
for ingesting entire bottle of unidentified
red and white pills. In the ambulance bay he
pulls out a knife and stabs himself in the left
nipple.

74. Clinical CaseClinical Case
Initial BP 116/72, pulse 109 RR 24. IV’s
placed.
No JVD, Clear breath sounds, non tender
abdomen
As CXR is about to be done, pulse increases
to 134.
Bedside ultrasound is done while cartridge
is developed.

75. Clinical CaseClinical Case

76. Clinical CaseClinical Case
Patient is taken to the OR
Penetrating cardiac wound is repaired

77. Subcostal ViewSubcostal View
Most practical in
trauma setting
Away from airway
and neck/chest
procedures
Also called Sub-
Xyphoid view

78. Subcostal ViewSubcostal View

79. Subcostal View

80. Pericardial FluidPericardial Fluid
fluid

86. Occult Penetrating CardiacOccult Penetrating Cardiac
TraumaTrauma
Observation unreliable
Subxiphoid window
– Invasive
– 100% sensitive, 92% specific
– Negative exploration rates (as high as 80%)
Ultrasound reliable indicator of even small
pericardial effusion

87. Trauma StudyTrauma Study
The role of ultrasound in patients with
possible penetrating cardiac wounds: a
prospective multicenter study.
Rozycki GS: J Trauma. 1999
 Pericardial scans performed in 261 patients
 Sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.9%
 PPV: 81% NPV:100%
 Time interval BUS to OR: 12.1 +/- 5.9 min

88. Avoid PitfallsAvoid Pitfalls
Normal echo does not definitively rule out
major pericardial injury
Repeat echo with ∆ clinical picture
Epicardial fat pad may easily be
misinterpreted as “clot”
Hemothorax may be confused with
pericardial effusion

89. Blunt Cardiac TraumaBlunt Cardiac Trauma
 Basic Assessments
– Pericardial effusion
– Assess for wall motion
abnormality
– RV:
 closest to anterior chest
wall
 Most likely to be
injured
 Advanced
Assessments
– Assess thoracic aorta –
may need TEE to see
all of thoracic aorta
 Hematoma
 Intimal flap
 Abnormal contour
– Valvular dysfunction
or septal rupture

90. Blunt cardiac traumaBlunt cardiac trauma
Injuries difficult to assess by FAST
– Valvular incompetence
– Myocardial rupture
– Intracardiac thrombosis
– Ventricular aneurysm
– Coronary Thrombosis
– Intra-cardiac Thrombosis

91. “ The most important preoperative objective in
the management of the patient with trauma is
to ascertain whether or not laparotomy is
needed, and not the diagnosis of a specific
organ injury”