A Potential Pitfall of Using Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma in Pediatric Trauma

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3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Prospective studies have shown sensitivities of 73% to 88% and specificities of 98% to 100% for using the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination to identify free fluid in adult trauma patients. However, the efficacy of FAST examinations for pediatric trauma patients has not been well defined, and studies looking at diagnostic performance have had varied results. We describe 3 cases of the potential pitfalls of the pediatric FAST examination in pediatric trauma patients using an advanced-processing ultrasound machine. We hypothesize several etiologies for these false-positive findings in the setting of advanced image-processing capabilities of point-of-care ultrasound. We also discuss the reevaluation of clinical algorithms and interpretation practices when using the FAST examination in pediatric trauma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1637-1642
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine
Volume38
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • emergency medicine
  • focused assessment with sonography for trauma
  • pediatric
  • trauma
  • ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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