Focused Sonography in Detecting Hemoperitoneum in Blunt Abdominal Trauma Patients, Correlation with Computed Tomography

Abstract

Abstract:To determine the accuracy of focused assessment with sonography for trauma in detecting the hemoperitoneum in blunt abdominal trauma patients and comparing it with Computed Tomographic findings. The study was conducted at Radiology department of Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital from March 2010 to September 2010. 140 patients presented with complaints of acute blunt abdominal trauma. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma was performed. Presence of intra-abdominal fluid was taken as positive finding for hemoperitoneum. Then all the patients underwent computed tomography of abdomino-pelvic region. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma findings were compared with computed tomography results. In 83 patients, the FAST showed free intra abdominal fluid and was taken as 'positive'. Out of these 83 cases80 (96%) were 'true positive' while the remaining 3(4%) were 'false positive' when compared with results of CT scan.Similarly, in 57 patients, no free intra abdominal fluid was detected on FAST and they were considered 'negative'. From these 57 patients, 50 (88%) patients were 'true negative' and 7 (12%) were 'false negative' because intra abdominal free fluid was seen in them on subsequent CT scan. Thus the sensitivity and specificity of FAST in detecting intra abdominal free fluid was calculated to be 91.9 % and 94.34 % respectively. FAST scan is moderately sensitive in detecting intra abdominal free fluid when compared with the results of CT scan.