COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND IMAGING MODALITIES WITH CT SCAN FINDINGS, AND THEIR APPLICATION FOR SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF BLUNT THORACOABDOMINAL TRAUMA VICTIMS kundu4285krishna@gmail.com

PE127

COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND IMAGING MODALITIES WITH CT SCAN FINDINGS, AND THEIR APPLICATION FOR SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF BLUNT THORACOABDOMINAL TRAUMA VICTIMS

1

India

Oral or Poster

Trauma is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in young adults. The rate of fatalities from trauma is exceedingly high, with blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen being the most prevalent. The primary challenge in managing such cases is diagnosing these injuries using minimally invasive radiological measures within a timely and appropriate timeframe.

This study employed a prospective observational design incorporating Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (E-FAST), conventional ultrasonography, and Computed Tomography (CT) scans to evaluate patients presenting with blunt thoracoabdominal trauma at a tertiary care centre. The effectiveness of E-FAST in diagnosing injuries at initial and repeated intervals, along with late ultrasound guidance when required after presentation, was compared with the results of CT scans to delineate the most effective diagnostic pathway for surgical management.

E-FAST demonstrated high specificity in diagnosing thoracoabdominal pathologies with its initial application. However, its sensitivity was markedly enhanced with repeated use (rE-FAST) along with late USG when required after presentation, aligning closely with the diagnostic accuracy of CT scans for all injuries. The combined diagnostic approach optimised management strategies, enabling precise surgical or conservative interventions based on the detected injuries.

This study underscores the utility of E-FAST as a viable, rapid, and less-invasive diagnostic tool for managing blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen. Repeated E-FAST, along with late routine ultrasound (USG), significantly enhances the sensitivity in detecting internal injuries and could potentially reduce reliance on computed tomography (CT) scans.