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Evaluation of Extremity Trauma With Sonography

Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia USA.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Michael Blaivas MD, RDMS, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th St, AF-2056, Augusta, GA 30912-4007 USA; e-mail: mlyon{at}mail.mcg.edu.

Objective. To report on the use of bedside sonography in the diagnosis and treatment of penetrating extremity trauma. Methods. Sonography was performed in the emergency department of a level 1 trauma center with both curved and linear array transducers. Results. In both cases, foreign bodies and fractures resulting from gunshot wounds to the extremities were found. In addition, intra-abdominal and thoracic injuries were evaluated for using sonography. Conclusions. The increasing mobility and portability of sonography has led to its increasing use at the patient’s bedside to diagnose a variety of conditions. It provides potential immediate diagnosis and has the flexibility for evaluating a multitude of injuries normally requiring several different imaging technologies. In circumstances in which conventional radiography is unavailable, such as at trauma scenes, mass casualty situations, or at the bedside with unstable patients, sonography can provide unique and essential information about these patients.

Key Words: compartment syndrome • emergency sonography • gunshot wound • portable sonography • trauma sonography

Abbreviations: FAST, focused abdominal sonography for trauma

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