Significance of peritoneal effusion detection by emergency ultrasound in closed abdominal injury

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of peritoneal effusion detection by emergency-ultrasound in patients with closed abdominal injury. Method From August 2006 to June 2009,212 patients with closed abdominal injury were studied to evaluate peritoneal effusion detection by emergency ultrasound. Results of 212 patients,peritoneal effusion frequency rate was 78.8%( 167/212), meanwhile,abdominal paracentesis confirmation ratio was only 46.2%(98/212). In the follow-up, 13 patients with injuried hollow viscera and 1 patient with rupture of kidney showed peritoneal effusion. The volume of abdominal fluid was increasing in 17 patients,which needed to be managed by surgery. The accuracy rates were respectively 78.3%( 112/143) and 36.1%(13/36) in the solid organs and the hollow organs. Conclusion During the course of diagnosis and treatment in closed abdominal injury,peritoneal effusion monitoring by ultrasound should be used routinely, which can help to decrease the rate of misdiagnosis and avoid delayed treatment. Key words: Peritoneal effusion;  Abdominal injuries;  Ultrasonography