Abdominal ultrasound examination in pregnant blunt trauma patients.
BACKGROUND
The ability of abdominal ultrasound to detect intraperitoneal fluid in the pregnant trauma patient has been questioned.


METHODS
Pregnant blunt trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center during an 8-year period were reviewed. Ultrasound examinations were used to detect intraperitoneal fluid and considered positive if such fluid was identified.


RESULTS
One hundred twenty-seven (61%) of 208 pregnant patients had abdominal ultrasound during initial evaluation in the emergency department. Seven patients had intra-abdominal injuries, and six had documented hemoperitoneum. Ultrasound identified intraperitoneal fluid in five of these six patients (sensitivity, 83%; 95% confidence interval, 36-100%). In the 120 patients without intra-abdominal injury, ultrasound was negative in 117 (specificity, 98%; 95% confidence interval, 93-100%). The three patients without intra-abdominal injury but with a positive ultrasound had the following: serous intraperitoneal fluid and no injuries at laparotomy (one) and uneventful clinical courses of observation (two).


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity and specificity of abdominal ultrasonography in pregnant trauma patients is similar to that seen in nonpregnant patients. Occasional false negatives occur and a negative initial examination should not be used as conclusive evidence that intra-abdominal injury is not present. Ultrasound has the advantages of no radiation exposure.
Goodwin
H
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, California, USA.
Holmes
J F
JF
Wisner
D H
DH
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003663:Decision Trees; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010808:Physical Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy