[Imaging in the emergency room].

In order to reduce mortality in severely injured patients, a rapid radiologic diagnosis is essential. Sonography plays a role only as a focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) to clarify free intraperitoneal fluid immediately on admittance. Today, whole-body multislice helical computed tomography (CT) has become increasingly important as a diagnostic tool. Based on the results of the CT scan, patients can be referred for laparotomy or safely classified for "wait and see" treatment. Although the reduction in injury-related mortality would outweigh the risk of radiation dose, the indiscriminate use of CT for patients with minor injuries is not justified and must be avoided.