BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA

ROLE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY VS FOUR QUADRANT TAP

Abstract

Objective: (1) To define the role of ultrasonography and four quadrant
tap in deciding the treatment plan (conservative/operative) in blunt abdominal trauma . (2) To find out the specificity and
sensitivity of ultrasonography and four quadrant tap in blunt abdominal trauma. Design: Prospective study. Setting:
Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Period: From Jan 2001 to Jan 2002. Materials and methods: Fifty patients irrespective
of age, sex and mode of blunt injury included in the study. All the patients presented in emergency ward with blunt
abdominal trauma underwent ultrasonography & four quadrant tap. Results: In 30 out of 50(60%) patients, the
abdominal ultrasonography showed positive findings with the sensitivity of 90.62%, the specificity 94.44% and accuracy
92%. Four quadrant tap was positive in 29 patients out of 50(58%) with 87.09% sensitivity, 89.47% specificity and 88%
accuracy. Conclusion: Four quadrant tap is as effective as ultrasonography to pick up the intra-peritoneal fluid in the
assessment of blunt abdominal trauma patient but with slightly less sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.