Emergency ultrasound in trauma patients.

US will be used more frequently in the future for the evaluation of traumatized patients. Previously,the main focus of the sonographic examination was for the detection of free fluid. Unstable patients with free fluid often can be triaged to the operation room without further imaging tests. In patients who are more stable or in whom US results are negative, CT is required. Based on recent studies, sonography has a sensitivity rate of approximately 40% in direct detection of solid organ injuries. In the future, however, with the use of contrast-enhanced agents, sonography may more reliably detect solid organ injuries. Within the chest, US has been shown to be helpful in detecting pleural effusions and may be useful in detecting pericardial effusions. US has been shown to be sensitive in detecting pneumothoraces in traumatized patients.