title: Sensitivity of transabdominal ultrasonography in detection of intraperitoneal fluid in humans.
abstract: The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detection of free intraperitoneal fluid is over 90 %. The lowest detectable volume of free fluid in humans is unknown. The distribution of intraperitoneal fluid was studied in 86 patients by transabdominal US in group A (n = 21, 10 ml of fluid), in group B (n = 15, 50 ml of fluid) and group C (n = 50, splenic trauma). Ultrasound detected fluid in 15 of 21 patients in group A, and in all patients in groups B and C. In group A 10 ml of fluid was found in 71 % of cases behind the bladder, and in only 5-14 % of cases in the upper abdomen. In group B 50 ml of fluid was found in all patients in the lower pelvis, but in only 20 % in Morison's pouch and in 7 % around the spleen. In group C 200-4500 ml of fluid was detected by US in 72 % of patients in the perisplenic space, in 60 % in Morison's pouch and in 42 % in the retrovesical space. Small volumes of free intraperitoneal fluid (10-50 ml) can be detected with current US scanners, but only near the site of injury. These results support the role of US as a primary imaging modality in abdominal trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, SF-33520 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Paajanen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lahti
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nordback
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol; D007479:Iopamidol; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000293:injuries; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; D007479:Iopamidol