Diagnostic accuracy of focus assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST scan) in detecting abdominal visceral injuries taking CT findings as gold standard

Diagnostic accuracy of FAST Scan as compared to CT in detecting Abdominal visceral injuries

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) scan in detecting abdominal visceral injuries, taking CT findings as gold standard.

Study design:

Cross-sectional validation study

Place and duration:

Armed forces institute of Radiology and Imaging (AFIRI-MH) from 16th July 2022  to 15^th Jan 2023

Patients and methods:

A total of 185 patients with suspected abdominal visceral injury, 15 to 75 years of age of both genders were included. Patients with penetrating injury, CRF and claustrophobic patients were excluded. After this, FAST scans were carried out by ultrasound machine using a 3.75-MHz curvilinear probe and presence or absence of abdominal visceral injury was noted. After this CT scan was performed in each patient and findings were interpreted by one consultant radiologist. FAST scan findings were compared with CT scan findings.

Results:

Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of FAST scan in detecting abdominal visceral injuries is 90.3%, 93.6%, 93.4%, 90.5% and 91.9% respectively.

Conclusion:

This study concluded that diagnostic accuracy of FAST scan in detecting abdominal visceral injuries was high i.e. 91.9%.