[Blunt abdominal trauma--sonographic findings].

Results of sonographic investigations from 435 patients with blunt abdominal trauma or polytrauma admitted to a traumatology service are given. Complete evaluation of the abdominal organs was impeded in 94 cases by meteorism or other factors like immobility or hyperactivity of inebriated patients. Evaluation of the pancreas was inhibited in most of these cases. In 33 cases lesions of an organ could be verified during surgery. In one case the false positive diagnosis of "spleen rupture" led to operation. Suspicion of free fluid in the abdominal cavity (5 cases) could not be verified in any of the cases during a second investigation and was deemed to be negligible. Rupture of the spleen was diagnosed in 12 out of 14 cases, renal contusion in 7 out of 7 cases. Liver-, bowel- and mesenteric lesions were occasionally diagnosed indirectly (evidence for free fluid). Quality assessment did not reveal a difference between day time or nocturnal work shifts provided the investigators were experienced in sonography.