Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Portable ultrasound in disaster triage: a focused review

  • Review Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ultrasound technology has become ubiquitous in modern medicine. Its applications span the assessment of life-threatening trauma or hemodynamic conditions, to elective procedures such as image-guided peripheral nerve blocks. Sonographers have utilized ultrasound techniques in the pre-hospital setting, emergency departments, operating rooms, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, as well as during mass casualty and disaster management. Currently available ultrasound devices are more affordable, portable, and feature user-friendly interfaces, making them well suited for use in the demanding situation of a mass casualty incident (MCI) or disaster triage. We have reviewed the existing literature regarding the application of sonology in MCI and disaster scenarios, focusing on the most promising and practical ultrasound-based paradigms applicable in these settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sarkisian AE, et al. Sonographic screening of mass casualties for abdominal and renal injuries following the 1988 Armenian earthquake. J Trauma. 1991;31(2):247–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Legome E, Pancu D. Future applications for emergency ultrasound. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2004;22(3):817–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Melanson SW, et al. Aeromedical trauma sonography by flight crews with a miniature ultrasound unit. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2001;5(4):399–402.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Walcher F, et al. Prehospital ultrasound imaging improves management of abdominal trauma. Br J Surg. 2006;93(2):238–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lapostolle F, et al. Usefulness of hand-held ultrasound devices in out-of-hospital diagnosis performed by emergency physicians. Am J Emerg Med. 2006;24(2):237–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ruesseler M, et al. Prehospital and emergency department ultrasound in blunt abdominal trauma. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2009;35:341–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Salen PN, Melanson SW, Heller MB. The focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) examination: considerations and recommendations for training physicians in the use of a new clinical tool. Acad Emerg Med. 2000;7(2):162–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Zago M. Time for a comprehensive ultrasound-enhanced trauma management. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2009;35(4):339–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Nelson BP, Chason K. Use of ultrasound by emergency medical services: a review. Int J Emerg Med. 2008;1(4):253–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Benson M, Koenig KL, Schultz CH. Disaster triage: START, then SAVE—a new method of dynamic triage for victims of a catastrophic earthquake. Prehosp Disaster Med. 1996;11(2):117–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Rozycki GS. Surgeon-performed ultrasound: its use in clinical practice. Ann Surg. 1998;228(1):16–28.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Brooks A, et al. Emergency ultrasound in the acute assessment of haemothorax. Emerg Med J. 2004;21(1):44–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Dulchavsky SA, et al. Thoracic ultrasound diagnosis of pneumothorax. J Trauma. 1999;47(5):970–1.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ma OJ, Mateer JR. Trauma ultrasound examination versus chest radiography in the detection of hemothorax. Ann Emerg Med. 1997;29(3):312–5 (Discussion 315-6).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Sisley AC. Rapid detection of traumatic effusion using surgeon-performed ultrasonography. J Trauma. 1998;44(2):291–6 (Discussion 296–7).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Dulchavsky SA, et al. Advanced ultrasonic diagnosis of extremity trauma: the FASTER examination. J Trauma. 2002;53(1):28–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Stawicki SP, et al. Portable ultrasonography in mass casualty incidents: the CAVEAT examination. World J Orthop. 2010;1(1):10–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Joshi N, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of history, physical examination, and bedside ultrasound for diagnosis of extremity fractures in the emergency department: a systematic review. Acad Emerg Med. 2013;20(1):1–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kent A, et al. Sonographic evaluation of intravascular volume status in the surgical intensive care unit: a prospective comparison of subclavian vein and inferior vena cava collapsibility index. J Surg Res. 2013;184(1):561–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Stawicki SP. Prospective evaluation of intravascular volume status in critically ill patients: does inferior vena cava collapsibility correlate with central venous pressure? J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2014;76(4):956–63 (Discussion 963-4).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Stawicki SP, Bahner DP. Evidence tables: inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVC-CI). OPUS 12. Scientist. 2012;6(1):3–5.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Stawicki SP, et al. Intensivist use of hand-carried ultrasonography to measure IVC collapsibility in estimating intravascular volume status: correlations with CVP. J Am Coll Surg. 2009;209(1):55–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Lyon M, Blaivas M, Brannam L. Sonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava as a marker of blood loss. Am J Emerg Med. 2005;23(1):45–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Koenig KL, Dinerman N, Kuehl AE. Disaster nomenclature—a functional impact approach: the PICE system. Acad Emerg Med. 1996;3(7):723–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Marchigiani R, et al. Wind disasters: a comprehensive review of current management strategies. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2013;3(2):130–42.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Chang SE, et al. Toward disaster-resilient cities: characterizing resilience of infrastructure systems with expert judgments. Risk Anal. 2014;34(3):416–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Griffies WS. Health care infrastructure post-Katrina: disaster planning to return health care workers to their home communities. Psychiatr Serv. 2010;61(1):70–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Patricelli F, et al. Disaster management and mitigation: the telecommunications infrastructure. Disasters. 2009;33(1):23–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Rodriguez H, Aguirre BE. Hurricane Katrina and the healthcare infrastructure: a focus on disaster preparedness, response, and resiliency. Front Health Serv Manage. 2006;23(1):13–23 (Discussion 25-30).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. BET 2: Is prehospital focused abdominal ultrasound useful during triage at mass casualty incidents? Emerg Med J. 2013; 30(7):596–597.

  31. Sajed D. The history of point-of-care ultrasound use in disaster and mass casualty incidents. Virtual Mentor. 2010;12(9):744–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Sztajnkrycer MD, Baez AA, Luke A. FAST ultrasound as an adjunct to triage using the START mass casualty triage system: a preliminary descriptive system. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2006;10(1):96–102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Risser DT, et al. The potential for improved teamwork to reduce medical errors in the emergency department. The med teams research consortium. Ann Emerg Med. 1999;34(3):373–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Johnson GA, Calkins A. Prehospital triage and communication performance in small mass casualty incidents: a gauge for disaster preparedness. Am J Emerg Med. 1999;17(2):148–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Einav S, et al. In-hospital resource utilization during multiple casualty incidents. Ann Surg. 2006;243(4):533–40.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Blaivas M. Triage in the trauma bay with the focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) examination. J Emerg Med. 2001;21(1):41–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Dean AJ, Ku BS, Zeserson EM. The utility of handheld ultrasound in an austere medical setting in Guatemala after a natural disaster. Am J Disaster Med. 2007;2(5):249–56.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Mondillo S, Galderisi M. Hand-held echocardiography in clinical practice. Ital Heart J Suppl. 2005;6(5):265–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Mondillo S, et al. Hand-held echocardiography: its use and usefulness. Int J Cardiol. 2006;111(1):1–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Pradhan D. Multicore processors bring innovation to medical imaging. 2014 http://www.tij.co.jp/jp/lit/wp/slyy024/slyy024.pdf. Accessed 11 Nov 2010.

  41. Netzelmann U, et al. Volume acquisition and visualization of high-frequency ultrasound data. Acoust Imaging. 1992;19:553–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Mertz L. Ultrasound? fetal monitoring? spectrometer? There’s an app for that! biomedical smart phone apps are taking healthcare by storm. IEEE Pulse. 2012;3(2):16–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hsu JC, et al. Quantitative analysis of normal fetal brain volume and flow by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound. J Chin Med Assoc. 2013;76(9):504–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Chang CH, et al. Predicting fetal growth restriction with liver volume by three-dimensional ultrasound: efficacy evaluation. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2006;32(1):13–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. DeCara JM, et al. The use of small personal ultrasound devices by internists without formal training in echocardiography. Eur J Echocardiogr. 2003;4(2):141–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Kirkpatrick AW, et al. Hand-held thoracic sonography for detecting post-traumatic pneumothoraces: the extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (EFAST). J Trauma. 2004;57(2):288–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Giannotti G, et al. Hand-held echocardiography: added value in clinical cardiological assessment. Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2005;3:7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Russell TC, Crawford PF. Ultrasound in the austere environment: a review of the history, indications, and specifications. Mil Med. 2013;178(1):21–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Hwang JJ, et al. Portable ultrasound device for battlefield trauma. Ultrasonics Symp. 1998;2:1663–7.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Nefos T. Handheld diagnostic ultrasound system with head mounted display, U.S.P. Office, Editor. 2004.

  51. Jones DC, DR Newman. Hand-held, battery operated, Doppler ultrasound medical diagnostic device with cordless probe, U.S.P.T. Office, Editor. 1997.

  52. Sempeles S. Pocket-sized ultrasound device could speed access to images and information. J Clin Eng. 2008;33(1):2–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Nelson BP, Chason K. Use of ultrasound by emergency medical services: a review. Int J Em Med. 2008;1(4):253–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Signos_Medical. Signos RT Personal Ultrasound System. 2014 October 17, 2014]; Available from: http://www.signostics.com.au.

  55. Sargsyan AE, et al. FAST at MACH 20: clinical ultrasound aboard the international space station. J Trauma. 2005;58(1):35–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Price DD, Wilson SR, Murphy TG. Trauma ultrasound feasibility during helicopter transport. Air Med J. 2000;19(4):144–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Brooks AJ, et al. Handheld ultrasound diagnosis of extremity fractures. J R Army Med Corps. 2004;150(2):78–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Schoenfeld AJ. The combat experience of military surgical assets in Iraq and Afghanistan: a historical review. Am J Surg. 2012;204(3):377–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Vosburgh KG, et al. Image registration assists novice operators in ultrasound assessment of abdominal trauma. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2008;132:532.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Kolkebeck T, Mehta S. The focused assessment of sonography for trauma (FAST) exam in a forward-deployed combat emergency department: a prospective observational study. Ann Emerg Med. 2006;48(4):S87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Adhikari S, et al. Transfer of real-time ultrasound video of FAST examinations from a simulated disaster scene via a mobile phone. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(3):290–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Popov V, et al. The feasibility of real-time transmission of sonographic images from a remote location over low-bandwidth Internet links: a pilot study. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;188(3):W219–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Strode CA, et al. Satellite and mobile wireless transmission of focused assessment with sonography in trauma. Acad Emerg Med. 2003;10(12):1411–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Strode CA, et al. Wireless and satellite transmission of prehospital focused abdominal sonography for trauma. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2003;7(3):375–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Martin DS, et al. Ultrasound in space. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2003;29(1):1–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Bahner DP, et al. What’s new in critical illness and injury science? The challenge of verifying tracheal airway placement: solving the puzzle one piece at a time. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2013;3(2):105–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Ferraioli G, Meloni MF. Sonographic training program at a district hospital in a developing country: work in progress. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;189(3):W119–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Bowra J, et al. Validation of nurse-performed FAST ultrasound. Injury. 2010;41(5):484–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Dean AJ. Emergency ultrasound usage among recent emergency medicine residency graduates of a convenience sample of 14 residencies. J Emerg Med. 2010;38(2):214–20 Quiz 220-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Rao S, et al. A pilot study of comprehensive ultrasound education at the Wayne State university school of medicine: a pioneer year review. J Ultrasound Med. 2008;27(5):745–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Walcher F, et al. Accuracy of prehospital focused abdominal sonography for trauma after a 1-day hands-on training course. Emerg Med J. 2010;27(5):345–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. McKenney MG. 1,000 consecutive ultrasounds for blunt abdominal trauma. J Trauma. 1996;40(4):607–10 (Discussion 611-2).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Stawicki SP. Trends in nonoperative management of traumatic injuries: a synopsis. OPUS 12. Scientist. 2007;1(1):19–35.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Bostick NA, et al. Disaster triage systems for large-scale catastrophic events. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008;2(Suppl 1):S35–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Veatch RM. Disaster preparedness and triage: justice and the common good. Mt Sinai J Med. 2005;72(4):236–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Hirshberg A. Multiple casualty incidents: lessons from the front line. Ann Surg. 2004;239(3):322–4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  77. Hirshberg A, Holcomb JB, Mattox KL. Hospital trauma care in multiple-casualty incidents: a critical view. Ann Emerg Med. 2001;37(6):647–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Frykberg ER. Principles of mass casualty management following terrorist disasters. Ann Surg. 2004;239(3):319–21.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  79. Anderson PB, Johnson MS, Bartley B. The emergency medical services system response to a commercial airliner incident at the very remote location of Shemya. Alaska Prehosp Disaster Med. 1997;12(1):36–40.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Mazur SM, Rippey J. Transport and use of point-of-care ultrasound by a disaster medical assistance team. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2009;24(2):140–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Melton RJ, Riner RM. Revising the rural hospital disaster plan: a role for the EMS system in managing the multiple casualty incident. Ann Emerg Med. 1981;10(1):39–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Nocera A, Garner A. An Australian mass casualty incident triage system for the future based upon triage mistakes of the past: the homebush triage standard. Aust N Z J Surg. 1999;69(8):603–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Nocera A. Australian major incident nomenclature: it may be a ‘disaster’ but in an ‘emergency’ it is just a mess. ANZ J Surg. 2001;71(3):162–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Koenig KL, Bey T, Schultz CH. International disaster medical sciences fellowship: model curriculum and key considerations for establishment of an innovative international educational program. West J Emerg Med. 2009;10(4):213–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  85. Garner A. Documentation and tagging of casualties in multiple casualty incidents. Emerg Med (Fremantle). 2003;15(5–6):475–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Kleber C, et al. Results of in-hospital triage in 17 mass casualty trainings: underestimation of life-threatening injuries and need for re-triage. Am J Disaster Med. 2013;8(1):5–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Jenkins JL, et al. Mass-casualty triage: time for an evidence-based approach. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2008;23(1):3–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Hick JL, Hanfling D, Cantrill SV. Allocating scarce resources in disasters: emergency department principles. Ann Emerg Med. 2012;59(3):177–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Kennedy K, et al. Triage: techniques and applications in decision making. Ann Emerg Med. 1996;28(2):136–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Sharma BR. Development of pre-hospital trauma-care system—an overview. Injury. 2005;36(5):579–87.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Justiniano CF, et al. Comorbidity-polypharmacy score: a novel adjunct in post-emergency department trauma triage. J Surg Res. 2013;181(1):16–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  92. Cook CH, et al. Reducing overtriage without compromising outcomes in trauma patients. Arch Surg. 2001;136(7):752–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Ciesla DJ, et al. Secondary overtriage: a consequence of an immature trauma system. J Am Coll Surg. 2008;206(1):131–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Tazarourte K, et al. Ultrasound and prehospital triage: a tool for limiting the undertriage. J Trauma. 2010;69(4):997.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Adini B, et al. Reconsidering policy of casualty evacuation in a remote mass-casualty incident. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(1):91–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Lehmann R, et al. A simplified set of trauma triage criteria to safely reduce overtriage: a prospective study. Arch Surg. 2009;144(9):853–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Glow SD, et al. Managing multiple-casualty incidents: a rural medical preparedness training assessment. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):334–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Burch H, Kitley CA, Naeem M. Department of homeland security national planning scenarios: a spectrum of imaging findings to educate the radiologists. Emerg Radiol. 2010;17(4):275–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Reardon R, Joing S. Hemothorax after a stab wound to the chest, with clear breath sounds and a normal radiograph. Acad Emerg Med. 2006;13(7):786.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Shorter M, Macias DJ. Portable handheld ultrasound in austere environments: use in the Haiti disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(2):172–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Sen D. Coping in a calamity: radiology during the cloudburst at Leh. Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2013;23(1):106–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  102. Dudaryk R, Pretto EA Jr. Resuscitation in a multiple casualty event. Anesthesiol Clin. 2013;31(1):85–106.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Ma OJ, Norvell JG, Subramanian S. Ultrasound applications in mass casualties and extreme environments. Crit Care Med. 2007;35(5 Suppl):S275–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Zhang S, et al. Utility of point-of-care ultrasound in acute management triage of earthquake injury. Am J Emerg Med. 2014;32(1):92–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Lippert SC, et al. Pain control in disaster settings: a role for ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. Ann Emerg Med. 2013;61(6):690–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  106. Tai N, et al. Forward trauma surgery in Afghanistan: lessons learnt on the modern asymmetric battlefield. J R Army Med Corps. 2008;154(1):14–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  107. Parker PJ, et al. Forward surgery on operation Telic-Iraq 2003. J R Army Med Corps. 2005;151(3):186–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Gay DA, et al. Ultrasound of penetrating ocular injury in a combat environment. Clin Radiol. 2013;68(1):82–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  109. Lunceford N, et al. Utilization of bedside urogenital ultrasound in an austere combat setting: enterovesicular fistula case report. Mil Med. 2013;178(3):e376–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Vasios WN, et al. Fracture detection in a combat theater: four cases comparing ultrasound to conventional radiography. J Spec Oper Med. 2010;10(2):11–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  111. Hoencamp R, et al. Lessons learned from dutch deployed surgeons and anesthesiologists to Afghanistan: 2006–2010. Mil Med. 2014;179(7):711–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Stinger H, Rush R. The Army forward surgical team: update and lessons learned, 1997–2004. Mil Med. 2006;171(4):269–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Garner A, et al. Comparative analysis of multiple-casualty incident triage algorithms. Ann Emerg Med. 2001;38(5):541–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  114. Do JR, McManus J, Harrison B. Use of ultrasonography to avoid an unnecessary procedure in the prehospital combat environment: a case report. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2006;10(4):502–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  115. Demetriades D, Velmahos G. Technology-driven triage of abdominal trauma: the emerging era of nonoperative management. Annu Rev Med. 2003;54:1–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Chiu WC. Abdominal injuries without hemoperitoneum: a potential limitation of focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST). J Trauma. 1997;42(4):617–23 (Discussion 623-5).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Miller MT. Not so FAST. J Trauma. 2003;54(1):52–9 (Discussion 59-60).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  118. Wherrett LJ, et al. Hypotension after blunt abdominal trauma: the role of emergent abdominal sonography in surgical triage. J Trauma. 1996;41(5):815–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  119. Rozycki GS, et al. Surgeon-performed ultrasound for the assessment of truncal injuries: lessons learned from 1540 patients. Ann Surg. 1998;228(4):557–67.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  120. McKenney KL. Hemoperitoneum score helps determine need for therapeutic laparotomy. J Trauma. 2001;50(4):650–4 (Discussion 654-6).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  121. Marshburn TH, et al. Goal-directed ultrasound in the detection of long-bone fractures. J Trauma. 2004;57(2):329–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  122. Noble VE, Legome E, Marshburn T. Long bone ultrasound: making the diagnosis in remote locations. J Trauma. 2003;54(4):800.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  123. Byhahn C, et al. Prehospital ultrasound detects pericardial tamponade in a pregnant victim of stabbing assault. Resuscitation. 2008;76(1):146–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  124. Garth AP, et al. Ultrasound guided pericardiocentesis of cardiac tamponade. Acad Emerg Med. 2009;16(8):811.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  125. Rozycki GS, Newman PG. Surgeon-performed ultrasound for the assessment of abdominal injuries. Adv Surg. 1999;33:243–59.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  126. Yanagawa Y, et al. Early diagnosis of hypovolemic shock by sonographic measurement of inferior vena cava in trauma patients. J Trauma. 2005;58(4):825–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  127. Warkentine FH, Horowitz R, Pierce MC. The use of ultrasound to detect occult or unsuspected fractures in child abuse. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014;30(1):43–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  128. Reising K. Minimally invasive stabilization of distal humerus fractures: a pilot study with biomechanical evaluation. Technol Health Care. 2014;22(6):909–13.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Kodama N, et al. Ultrasound-assisted closed reduction of distal radius fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(7):1287–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  130. Fields JM, et al. The interrater reliability of inferior vena cava ultrasound by bedside clinician sonographers in emergency department patients. Acad Emerg Med. 2011;18(1):98–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  131. Noji EK Kelen GD. Disaster medical services. In Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS (Eds): Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide (6th ed). McGraw-Hill, NY, 2004

  132. Christian MD et al. Crit Care 2009;13:R170 and Gottschalk SB, et al. Emerg Med J 2006;23:149-153

Download references

Conflict of interest

Salina M. Wydo, Mark J. Seamon, Scott W. Melanson, Peter Thomas, David P. Bahner, and Stanislaw P. Stawicki declare that they have no conflict(s) of interest related to this work.

Compliance with ethical requirements

This work is in compliance with ethical requirements.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA

    S. M. Wydo

  2. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    M. J. Seamon

  3. St Luke’s University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA

    S. W. Melanson & P. Thomas

  4. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    D. P. Bahner

  5. Department of Research and Innovation, St Luke’s University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA

    S. P. Stawicki

Authors
  1. S. M. Wydo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. J. Seamon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. W. Melanson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Thomas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. P. Bahner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. S. P. Stawicki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. P. Stawicki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wydo, S.M., Seamon, M.J., Melanson, S.W. et al. Portable ultrasound in disaster triage: a focused review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 42, 151–159 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-015-0498-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-015-0498-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation