The utility of sonography for the triage of blunt abdominal trauma patients to exploratory laparotomy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) in the triage of hypotensive and normotensive blunt abdominal trauma patients to exploratory laparotomy.

Materials And Methods: Data entered in a trauma registry database were retrospectively reviewed and were correlated with medical records, radiology reports, and surgical laparotomy reports. In the setting of blunt abdominal trauma, hypotensive patients were compared with normotensive patients who underwent FAST.

Single-step transvaginal aspiration and drainage for suspected pelvic abscesses refractory to antibiotic therapy.

Objective: For treatment of suspected pelvic abscesses, the use of the trocar technique avoids many of the technical challenges of the Seldinger method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of sonographically guided transvaginal aspiration or drainage with the trocar technique in suspected pelvic abscesses that were refractory to antibiotic treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients with suspected pelvic abscesses refractory to antibiotic therapy who underwent single-step transvaginal pelvic aspiration or drainage between 1995 and 2000.