Splenic trauma: evaluation with contrast-specific sonography and a second-generation contrast medium: preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the assessment of splenic trauma with contrast-coded sonography and a second-generation contrast medium. METHODS: From January to May 2002, 120 patients were studied with sonography for suspected splenic trauma. Twenty-five were selected for further imaging because of sonographic findings positive for splenic injury, findings positive for peritoneal fluid only, indeterminate findings, and negative findings with high clinical or laboratory suspicion. These patients underwent contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography and contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography. RESULTS: Among the 25 patients studied, 6 had no spleen trauma at initial and follow-up evaluation. One patient had a hypoperfused spleen without parenchymal damage, and 18 had splenic injuries; these 19 patients were considered positive. Hemoperitoneum was identified by sonography, contrast-enhanced sonography, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography in 74% of the 19 positive cases. Perisplenic clots were recognized in 58% of the cases by computed tomography and in 42% by baseline and enhanced sonography. Splenic infarctions were found in 11% of cases by contrast-enhanced sonography and computed tomography; none was found by unenhanced sonography. Parenchymal traumatic lesions were identified in 12 of 18 patients with splenic injuries by unenhanced sonography, in 17 cases by contrast-enhanced sonography, and in all 18 cases by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. A minimal splenic lesion was found in the single patient with a false-negative contrast-enhanced sonographic finding. Contrast-enhanced sonography correlated appreciably better than unenhanced sonography in detecting injuries and in estimating their extent. Findings undetectable on unenhanced sonography were also noted: splenic hypoperfusion in 11% of positive cases on both contrast-enhanced sonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography, contrast medium pooling in 21% of cases on both contrast-enhanced sonography and computed tomography, and contrast extravasation in 11% of cases on computed tomography and 5% on contrast-enhanced sonography. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced sonography is a promising tool in the assessment of splenic trauma. In institutions where sonography is used as the initial procedure, this technique may increase its effectiveness.     

The focused abdominal sonography for trauma scan: pearls and pitfalls.

OBJECTIVE: To review the state-of-the-art use of sonography in evaluating the patient with trauma. METHODS: We reviewed our experience in performing more than 5000 sonographic examinations in the patient with trauma. The recent experience of other publications advocating newer applications of sonography in the patient with trauma are discussed and presented in a pictorial fashion. RESULTS: The main focus of sonography in the patient with trauma has been in performance of the focused abdominal sonography for trauma scan. The focused abdominal sonography for trauma scan is usually performed in the patient with blunt abdominal trauma and is used to check for free fluid in the abdomen or pelvis. There are certain pitfalls that need to be avoided and certain limitations of the focused abdominal sonography for trauma scan that need to be recognized. These pitfalls and limitations are reviewed. More recently, sonography has been used to detect certain solid-organ injuries that have a variety of appearances. Thus, sonography may be used to localize the specific site of injury in these patients. More recently, sonography has been used to evaluate thoracic abnormalities in patients with trauma, including pleural effusions, pneumothoraces, and pericardial effusions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of sonography in evaluating the patient with trauma has rapidly expanded in the past decade. Those using sonography in this group of patients should be aware of its many uses but also its potential pitfalls and limitations.     

Screening sonography in pregnant patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of screening sonography for the detection of clinically significant abdominal injury in pregnant patients with blunt trauma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 5173 patients with blunt abdominal trauma who underwent screening sonography. Pregnant patients were identified, and the prospective sonographic interpretations were compared with surgical findings, computed tomography (CT), subsequent sonography, cystography, and the clinical course. RESULTS: Of 1567 female patients with trauma, 947 were of reproductive age and, 102 (11%) of these 947 were pregnant. One patient was excluded because a truth standard was not available. Five (5%) of these 101 patients were found to have injuries at surgery. These injuries involved the placenta (2 injuries), spleen (2 injuries), liver (1 injury), and kidney (1 injury); all required surgery. Initial sonographic findings were positive in 4 of 5 patients with injuries. The missed injury was a placental injury detected 15 hours after screening sonography because of fetal bradycardia. After screening sonography, 6 patients underwent additional abdominal imaging: CT (3 patients), cystography (1 patient), and additional sonography (2 patients). Of 101 patients, 95 (94%) required no additional tests, and 97 (96%) required no test involving ionizing radiation. No pregnant patient underwent diagnostic peritoneal lavage. Sensitivity was 80% (95% confidence interval, 28%-100%), and specificity was 100% (96 of 96; 95% confidence interval, 96%-100%) for detecting major abdominal injury. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is an effective screening examination that can obviate more hazardous tests such as CT, cystography, and peritoneal lavage in most pregnant patients with trauma requiring objective evaluation of the abdomen.     

Color and Power Doppler Sonography for Pneumothorax Detection

The use of B‐ and M‐mode sonography for detection of pneumothorax has been well described and studied. It is now widely incorporated by sonographers, emergency physicians, trauma surgeons, radiologists, and critical care specialists worldwide. Lung sonography can be performed rapidly at the bedside or in the prehospital setting. It is more sensitive, specific, and accurate than plain chest radiography. The use of color and power Doppler sonography as an adjunct to B‐ and M‐mode imaging for detection of pneumothorax has been described in a small number of studies and case reports but is much less widely known or used. Color and power Doppler imaging may be used for confirmation of the presence or absence of lung sliding detected with B‐mode sonography. In this article, we examine the physics behind Doppler sonography as it applies to the lung, technique, an actual case, and the past literature describing the use of color and power Doppler sonography for the detection of pneumothorax.     

Comparison of three- and two-dimensional sonography in diagnosis of gallbladder diseases: preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare three-dimensional sonography with two-dimensional sonography for diagnosis of gallbladder diseases. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with gallbladder diseases were examined with two- and three-dimensional sonography. The morphologic features presented on both modalities were analyzed, and the diagnostic accuracies of both modalities were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Both two- and three-dimensional sonography facilitated correct diagnosis in all patients with gallstones. Three-dimensional sonography had no influence on the diagnosis of gallstones compared with two-dimensional sonography. Three-dimensional sonography showed the granular surfaces in 18 (81.8%) of 22 cases of polypoid lesions and the pedunculated fundus in 19 (86.4%) of 22, whereas two-dimensional sonography displayed them in 10 (45.5%) and 3 (13.6%) of 22, respectively (P < .05 and .001). Three- and two-dimensional sonography made correct differential diagnoses between non-neoplastic and neoplastic polyps in 20 (90.9%) and 12 (54.5%) of 22, respectively (P < .05). In gallbladder carcinoma, both three- and two-dimensional sonography accurately showed all the associated gallstones and intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. Two-dimensional sonography could not correctly define the locations of the lesions in 2 (28.6%) and tumor extension in 1 (14.3%) of 7 cases with pathologically proved gallbladder cancer, whereas three-dimensional sonography improved the diagnosis in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional sonography adds no advantages for diagnosis of gallstones compared with two-dimensional sonography, but it is better than two-dimensional sonography for differential diagnosis of gallbladder polyps and may improve the localization and staging for gallbladder carcinoma; however, additional studies are needed for further determination.     

Live Conjoined Twins: A Rare First Trimester Diagnosis during Emergency Department Sonography

Background: The evaluation of vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain in the first trimester of pregnancy is an important component of emergency physician training. The increased use of bedside sonography by emergency physicians in the evaluation of these patients requires knowledge about the normal anatomy, variants, abnormal findings and their appearance on sonography. Objectives: To highlight the importance of a thorough pelvic and abdominal sonographic examination during a routine evaluation in the emergency department (ED). Case Report: We present the case of a patient found to have conjoined twins diagnosed by ED sonography. Conclusion: A discussion of the diagnosis, the findings on bedside sonogram and management options are presented.     

Distal Forearm Fracture Open Reduction–Internal Fixation: Sonographic Detection of Hardware Malalignment and Associated Tendon Injuries Missed by Radiography

Tendon injury is a known complication of distal radius fracture plate and screw fixation. Targeted musculoskeletal sonography is uniquely capable of assessing both tendon integrity and hardware abnormalities not recognized on radiographs. Each of the 3 patients described presented with pain after an open reduction–internal fixation following a distal forearm fracture. In each patient, radiographic findings, specifically the hardware position, were interpreted as normal. Important radiographically occult observations were subsequently made with sonography, including 3 proud screws and tendon injuries, all of which required surgical treatment. This case series demonstrates the clinical utility of musculoskeletal sonography in symptomatic patients after distal radius open reduction–internal fixation with negative radiographic findings. In our practice, sonography has been the most useful modality for precluding missing or delaying the diagnosis and treatment of these hardware complications. We advocate its use as an adjunct in any department performing musculoskeletal imaging.     

Sonographic patterns of intraperitoneal hemorrhage associated with blunt splenic injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between sonographic detection of free fluid in the left upper quadrant and blunt splenic injury. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all consecutive emergency blunt trauma sonograms obtained at a level I trauma center from January 1995 to January 2001. Data were collected on demographics, free fluid location, and patient outcome. Injuries were determined from computed tomography, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, laparotomy, or a combination thereof. RESULTS: A total of 4320 blunt trauma sonograms were obtained, and 596 patients (14%) had intra-abdominal injuries. The mean age was 33.7 +/- 19.1 years (range, 1-95 years), with 294 (49%) male and 302 (51%) female. There was no statistical difference between age, sex, or mechanism for all subgroups. There were 409 true-positive, 187 false-negative, 88 false-positive, and 3636 true-negative findings. Sensitivity of sonography for detecting all intra-abdominal injuries was 68%, and specificity was 97.6%; sensitivity for detecting isolated splenic injuries was 73.8%. Locations of free fluid in patients with nonsplenic injuries were compared with those in patients with splenic injuries. Isolated left upper quadrant free fluid was significantly associated with splenic injury (odds ratio = 3.0; P = .002), followed by diffuse free fluid (odds ratio = 2.1; P = .005). A subanalysis of isolated splenic injuries also revealed a significant association with left upper quadrant free fluid (odds ratio = 3.1; P = .007) and diffuse free fluid (odds ratio = 2.7; P = .0007). CONCLUSIONS: Free fluid in the left upper quadrant is significantly associated with splenic injury. This finding should triage patients more rapidly to computed tomography, angiography, embolization, and laparotomy.     

Bedside Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography of Critically Ill Patients

The transfer of critically ill patients to the radiology department is, in itself, potentially dangerous, so radiologists are frequently asked to perform bedside sonographic studies in the intensive care unit, surgical or medical department, sterile area, and operating room. In these circumstances, injection of a contrast agent may give the radiologist relevant additional information, which is useful for diagnosis and for better therapeutic management of these critically ill patients. Contrast‐enhanced sonography may allow detection of findings not recognizable on baseline sonography or even color Doppler imaging. In this pictorial essay, we highlight the value of real‐time contrast‐enhanced sonography when performed at the bedside in critically ill patients.     

Blunt hepatic trauma: evaluation with contrast-enhanced sonography: sonographic findings and clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report our initial experience in the assessment of liver trauma with real-time contrast-enhanced sonography (CES). METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2003, there were 431 hemodynamically stable patients evaluated with sonography for blunt abdominal trauma. Among these patients, 87 were selected to undergo second-level imaging, consisting of CES and computed tomographic (CT) evaluation. Indications for further assessment were baseline sonographic findings positive for liver injury, baseline sonographic findings positive for injury to other abdominal parenchyma, baseline sonographic findings positive for free fluid only, baseline sonographic findings indeterminate, and baseline sonographic findings negative with persistent clinical or laboratory suspicion. RESULTS: There were 23 hepatic lesions shown by CT in 21 patients. Peritoneal or retroperitoneal fluid was identified in 19 of 21 positive cases by all 3 imaging modalities. Liver injury was found in 15 patients on sonography and in 19 on CES. Contrast-enhanced sonography compared better than unenhanced sonography with the criterion standard for related injury conspicuity, injury size, completeness of injury extension, and involvement of the liver capsule. Both CES and CT showed intrahepatic contrast material pooling in 2 cases. All patients with false-negative sonographic or CES findings recovered uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced sonography is an effective tool in the evaluation of blunt hepatic trauma, being more sensitive than baseline sonography and correlating better than baseline sonography with CT findings. In institutions where sonography is regarded as the initial procedure to screen patients with trauma, this technique may increase its effectiveness. In addition, CES may be valuable in the follow-up of patients with conservatively treated liver trauma.     

The Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma (FAST) Examination: Considerations and Recommendations for Training Physicians in the Use of a New Clinical Tool

Focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) is being used by growing numbers of emergency physicians and surgeons because it has proven to be an accurate, rapid, and repeatable bedside test for evaluating abdominal trauma victims. Controversy exists about the optimal means of FAST education and the number of examinations necessary to demonstrate competency. Most FAST educators agree that FAST education should consist of three phases: didactic, practical, and experiential. This article summarizes options and preliminary recommendations suitable for developing a FAST curriculum.     

Significant predictors for determination of testicular rupture on sonography: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively useful sonographic diagnostic criteria for testicular rupture in patients with blunt scrotal trauma and to determine significant predictors among the criteria. METHODS: From July 2004 to February 2007, 29 consecutive patients (mean age, 22.8 years; range, 20-43 years) with blunt scrotal trauma who underwent scrotal sonography were enrolled. Ten ruptured testes and 6 intact testes were confirmed by surgery, and an additional 13 intact testes were confirmed by a physical examination. The sonographic findings were recorded with respect to contour irregularity, the presence of intratesticular and extratesticular heterogeneous echoes, loss of blood flow on color Doppler sonography, and engorgement of the pampiniform plexus by consensus between 2 radiologists. The sonographic findings used to diagnose testicular rupture were analyzed by the Fisher exact test, and significant predictors were determined by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The ruptured testes showed contour irregularity (P=.0002), a heterogeneous intratesticular echo pattern (P=.0077), and loss of blood flow on color Doppler sonography (P=.0093). Engorgement of the pampiniform plexus was seen in most nonruptured testes (P=.0178). Contour irregularity was the only significant predictor for the diagnosis of testicular rupture (P=.0002). On the basis of this single predictor, diagnostic predictive values for sonography were calculated; the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were all 90%. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 82% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among the useful sonographic criteria, contour irregularity is the only significant predictor for the diagnosis of testicular rupture in patients with blunt scrotal trauma.     

Sonographic diagnosis of urethral anomalies in infants: value of perineal sonography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of urethral sonography including a perineal approach in evaluating urethral anomalies in infants. METHODS: A radiology database review identified 88 patients (mean age +/- SD, 64 +/- 84 days) who underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and urethral sonography as part of extended sonography of the urinary tract. Sonographic and VCUG images and reports were reviewed to assess agreement between both modalities for detection of urethral anomalies. RESULTS: Sonography facilitated the correct diagnosis of all 3 posterior urethral valves. The only urethral diverticulum, the only ectopic ureteric insertion into the urethra, the only urogenital sinus, and the only urethrovaginal fistula were also shown on sonography. In 73 (94%) of 78 cases, sonography correctly showed the absence of anomalies. In 5 infants, sonography could not reliably assess the urethra and showed indirect signs of urethral anomalies; however, these patients had normal urethras on VCUG. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that sonography of the urethra is a valuable tool for diagnosis of urethral anomalies. Especially, negative findings on sonography are highly suggestive of the absence of urethral anomalies. Positive or equivocal sonographic findings should indicate VCUG.     

Sonographic assessment of blunt abdominal trauma: a 4-year prospective study

PURPOSE: Emergency abdominal sonography has become a common modality worldwide in the evaluation of injuries caused by blunt trauma. The sensitivity of sonography in the detection of hemoperitoneum varies, and little is known about the accuracy of sonography in the detection of injuries to specific organs. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall accuracy of sonography in the detection of hemoperitoneum and solid-organ injury caused by blunt trauma. METHODS: From January 1995 to October 1998, 3,264 patients underwent emergency sonography at our institution to evaluate for free fluid and parenchymal abnormalities of specific organs caused by blunt trauma. All patients with intra-abdominal injuries (IAIs) were identified, and their sonographic findings were compared with their CT and operative findings, as well as their clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-six (12%) of the 3,264 patients had IAIs. Sonography detected free fluid presumed to represent hemoperitoneum in 288 patients (9%). The sonographic detection of free fluid alone had a 60% sensitivity, 98% specificity, 82% positive predictive value, and 95% negative predictive value for diagnosing IAI. The accuracy was 94%. Seventy patients (2%) had parenchymal abnormalities identified with sonography that corresponded to actual organ injuries. The sensitivity of the sonographic detection of free fluid and/or parenchymal abnormalities in diagnosing IAI was 67%. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency sonography to evaluate patients for injury caused by blunt trauma is highly accurate and specific. The sonographic detection of free fluid is only moderately sensitive for diagnosing IAI, but the combination of free fluid and/or a parenchymal abnormality is more sensitive.     

Should bedside sonography be used first to diagnose pneumothorax secondary to blunt trauma?

BACKGROUND.: Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of bedside sonography (US) in the detection of pneumothorax secondary to blunt thoracic trauma. METHODS.: In this prospective study, 240 hemithoraces of 120 consecutive patients with multiple trauma were evaluated with chest radiographs (CXR) and bedside thoracic US for the diagnosis of pneumothorax. CT examinations were performed in 68 patients. Fifty-two patients who did not undergo CT examinations were excluded from the study. US examinations were performed independently at bedside by two radiologists who were not informed about CXR and CT findings. CXRs were interpreted by two radiologists who were unaware of the US and CT results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of CXR and US were calculated. RESULTS.: One hundred thirty-six hemithoraces were assessed in 68 patients. A total of 35 pneumothoraces were detected in 33 patients. On US, the diagnosis of pneumothorax was correct in 32 hemithoraces. In 98 hemithoraces without pneumothorax, US was normal. With US examination, there were three false-positive and three false-negative results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of US were 91.4%, 97%, 91.4%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of CXR were 82.7%, 89.7%, 68.5%, 95%, and 89.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS.: Bedside thoracic US is an accurate method that can be used in trauma patients instead of CXR for the detection of pneumothorax.     

Contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography of the intestinal wall in the differentiation of hypervascularized and hypovascularized intestinal obstructions in patients with Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To use power Doppler sonography to quantify the vascularization in the area of stenosed bowel segments in patients with Crohn's disease and to draw conclusions from these findings with regard to the development of these stenoses. METHODS: The study collective included 11 patients with confirmed Crohn's disease and sonographically visualized stenoses of the small bowel together with intermittent abdominal cramping as a clinical correlate. Power mode examination was repeated after application of a sonographic signal-enhancing agent. Semiquantitative evaluation based on the sonographically indicated degree of vascularization led to the presumptive diagnosis of either inflammatory or cicatricial intestinal obstruction. Sonographic diagnoses were compared with the findings of surgery and subsequent histologic examination or with patients' clinical responses to conservative therapy. RESULTS: Nine of 11 patients underwent surgery within 1 year of examination. All 3 cases in which sonography had facilitated the diagnosis of cicatricial stenosis were confirmed at postoperative histologic examination; similarly, the surgical and histologic findings in the other 6 patients confirmed the sonographic diagnosis of inflammatory stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Power Doppler sonography in combination with the use of a signal-enhancing agent appears to be effective in the recognition of predominantly cicatricial stenoses in patients with Crohn's disease.     

Sonographic evaluation of penile trauma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this presentation is to illustrate the normal sonographic anatomy of the penis and various imaging manifestations of penile trauma. METHODS: Penile trauma cases were collected and reviewed retrospectively from our archive. RESULTS: The normal sonographic anatomy of the penis and various pathologic conditions of patients with penile trauma are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography (especially with color Doppler sonography) is a useful imaging method for evaluating penile anatomy and various pathologic features in patients with penile trauma.     

The role of color duplex sonography in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical usefulness of color duplex sonography in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis as an alternative to temporal artery biopsy. METHODS: From May 1998 to November 2002, 68 consecutive patients seen in our hospital with a clinical suggestion of active temporal arteritis were included. Forty-eight patients were female and 20 were male, with a mean age of 77 years. Color duplex sonography with a linear array transducer (5-10 MHz) was used to assess temporal artery morphologic characteristics before a biopsy was performed. The main sonographic criterion for a positive diagnosis was visualization of a hypoechoic halo around the temporal artery. These data were compared with pathologic findings. The kappa statistic was used to determine the level of agreement. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of duplex sonography as a diagnostic test were assessed. RESULTS: The color duplex sonographic findings were positive in 25 of 68 patients with a clinical suggestion of giant cell arteritis. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy in 22 patients; there were 4 false-positive results and 1 false-negative result by duplex sonography. The kappa value was 0.84. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy for duplex sonography were 95.4%, 91.3%, 84%, 97.6%, and 92.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of high-resolution color duplex sonography may replace biopsy in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.     

Sonography of partial-thickness quadriceps tendon tears with surgical correlation.

OBJECTIVE: With the use of surgical findings as the reference standard, the purpose of this study was to describe the sonographic findings of partial-thickness and complete tears of the quadriceps tendon and to determine whether sonography can potentially aid diagnosis. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-nine consecutive sonographic reports (January 1996 to April 2001) of the knee/quadriceps tendon were reviewed retrospectively and assessed for subsequent surgery on the quadriceps tendon. Seven cases were thus identified. Findings at surgery (complete versus partial tears) were compared with the original sonography reports. RESULTS: All 4 partial tears and 1 of 2 complete tears were diagnosed correctly on the basis of sonography. One complete tear was described as a partial tear on the basis of sonography. In a seventh case, complete disruption of the extensor mechanism with osseous avulsion of the superior pole of the patella was identified correctly. Dynamic scanning was essential in diagnosing a partial quadriceps tendon tear in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography, including the use of dynamic evaluation, was helpful in the diagnosis of partial-thickness tears of the quadriceps tendon and may aid in differentiation of such cases from complete quadriceps tendon tears, particularly in the acute setting. The presence of scar tissue in the setting of chronic injury may represent a potential pit-fall in the assessment of partial versus complete quadriceps tears. Further study is needed to define the accuracy of sonography for detecting quadriceps tendon tears.