STANDARD ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION WITH COMPUTER-ASSISTED DOCUMENTATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF POLYTRAUMA PATIENTS

Based on the results of a prospective trial to establish the value of routine ultrasound examination in cases of polytrauma or blunt abdominal trauma, we report on our standard ultrasound examination and computerassisted documentation of the findings. Between May 1988 and December 1990 we examined 233 patients with polytrauma or blunt abdominal trauma. The results were compared with those of abdominal lavage (n = 47) performed during the same period. We found a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99,5% for the ultrasound findings and a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100% for the abdominal lavage. We conclude that ultrasonography should be the first diagnostic procedure used in the emergency room in cases of polytrauma and blunt abdominal trauma.