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Pre-hospital emergency medicine: a spectrum of imaging findings

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Abstract

The goal of emergency medical services (EMS) is to provide urgent medical care and stabilization prior to patient transport to a healthcare facility for definitive treatment. The number and variety of interventions performed in the field by EMS providers continues to grow as early management of severe injuries and critical illness in the pre-hospital setting has been shown to improve patient outcomes. The sequela of many field interventions, including those associated with airway management, emergent vascular access, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), patient immobilization, and hemorrhage control may be appreciated on emergency department admission imaging. Attention to these imaging findings is important for the emergency radiologist, who may be the first to identify a malpositioned device or an iatrogenic complication arising from pre-hospital treatment. Recognition of these findings may allow for earlier corrective action to be taken in the acute care setting. This review describes common EMS interventions and their imaging findings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Emergency Radiology, Midwest Radiology, 2355 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN, USA

    Ryan T. Whitesell, Sean K. Johnston & Douglas H. Sheafor

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Regions Hospital, 640 Jackson St, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Aaron M. Burnett

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Whitesell, R.T., Burnett, A.M., Johnston, S.K. et al. Pre-hospital emergency medicine: a spectrum of imaging findings. Emerg Radiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-024-02223-3

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