Ultrasonographic findings in patients with abdominal symptoms or trauma presenting to an emergency room in rural Tanzania.

Background: Frequencies of ultrasonographic findings and diagnoses in emergency departments in sub-Saharan Africa are unknown. This study aimed to describe the frequencies of different sonographic findings and diagnoses found in patients with abdominal symptoms or trauma presenting to a rural referral hospital in Tanzania.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, we consecutively enrolled patients with abdominal symptoms or trauma triaged to the emergency room of the Saint Francis Referral Hospital, Ifakara.