الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The detection of an intra-abdominal injury is a frequent diagnostic challenge in multiple injured patients. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of abdominal injuries substantially increases morbidity and mortality in trauma patients due to bleeding from solid organ or vascular injury, or infection from perforation of a hollow viscus. In recent years FAST has taken quantum leaps in its utility, accuracy and acceptance by the clinical community as it is easy to perform, quick, cost- effective, non-invasive, no ionizing radiation or toxic contrast material is needed and can be repeated as often as required. In our study, out of 150 patients evaluated by FAST, a true positive of 84 scans and a true negative of 54 scans were obtained. Thus giving a sensitivity of 94.4% and a specificity of 88.5%. The positive predictive value is 92.3% and a negative predictive value is 91.5%. Thus the ability of FAST to accurately detect the presence of free fluid and to pin point the injured organ was demonstrated. FAST serves as best screening test in blunt abdominal trauma and also helps us to plan the appropriate therapeutic approach to a patient with suspected blunt abdominal trauma. |