Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of traumatic hemothorax

Full text: The possibilities and advantages of US tomography in the diagnosis and follow-up of traumatic hemothorax in major trauma patients were presented. US examinations of the chest in conditions of emergency with purpose to identify hemothorax were performed in 56 (41 male and 15 female patients for a period of two years.US machine 'Siemens-Adara' supplied with 3.5 and 7 MHz linear and convex transducers was used. The right and left intercostal oblique view was used for US examination to identify free pleural fluid. Tube thoracotomy and/or a CT scan of the chest were used as the criterion standard for positive findings of hemothorax among the studied patients. In 49 (87.5%) of all 56 major trauma patients was achieved true-positive diagnostic result of hemothorax confirmed in 39 cases post operatively and in 10 after investigation by CT. In 6 (10.71%) patients - true-negative and in 1 (1.7%) false negative results were obtained. Our experience demonstrated that US is a sensitive, specific, and accurate diagnostic method in detecting traumatic hemothorax. The advantages of US tomography in the diagnosis of traumatic hemothorax are: First - the examination is not influenced by the position of the patient: Second - the rapidity of examination is 2-4 min and simultaneously differentiation of dense regions. Third - the possibility to present small amount of liquid collections 20-30 cc