• B Partik, W Krampla, S König, H Mosser, W Hruby, and P Fasol.
• Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für digitale Radiographie.
• Ultraschall Med. 1997 Feb 1;18(1):35-8.

AimTo evaluate sonography as a tool for initial diagnosis in emergency room patients with abdominal trauma.Method174 cases of abdominal trauma were selected from 1837 emergency care patients. The initial sonographic findings were compared to CT-evaluation, operative and autopsy results, and both clinical and sonographic follow-up.ResultsIn 31 cases initial sonographic findings were positive, leading to 6 laparotomies. In another 6 cases, changes of follow-up sonographic testing led to laparotomy. In 143 patients, the initial sonographic evaluation was negative. In this group, follow-up evaluation revealed changes in 16 cases leading to 3 laparotomies. In 8 patients with stab injuries, the negative sonographic study was confirmed by operative findings.ConclusionSonography is a well-tested diagnostic method in evaluating patients with abdominal trauma. Follow-up examinations-even with negative initial results-are needed. While the time interval between evaluations depends on the individual risk factors, hourly reevaluation is generally appropriate.

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