Defining a Concerning FAST Exam in Pediatric Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Point-of-care ultrasound experts were able to identify a “concerning” FAST exam in pediatric patients that had high specificity for clinically significant injury.

To assess performance of the focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma, researchers retrospectively reviewed 448 FAST exam images obtained from such patients at a pediatric trauma center from 2015 to 2018. The researchers compared the point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) director's assessment of free fluid with the radiologist's interpretation of free fluid on abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. A “concerning” FAST was defined by the researchers as an exam showing any free fluid in Morrison's pouch or the left upper quadrant or a moderate-to-large amount of free fluid in the pelvis.

Overall, 31 patients (7%) had a positive FAST with any free fluid identified. Eighteen patient…

Reviewing Author

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Program Committee Chief Resident Forum Subcommittee Chair); American College of Emergency Physicians (Education Committee member)

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Defining a Concerning FAST Exam in Pediatric Blunt Abdominal Trauma

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Reviewing Author