FAST Exam

Question 1

What are the indications (based on the evidence base) for the FAST exam?

Answer 1

Indications are primarily trauma-related - penetrating or blunt cardiac trauma, blunt and penetrating abd trauma

Question 2

What is the difference between the FAST and eFAST

Answer 2

eFAST extends into the thorax to look for lung sliding and hemothorax

Question 3

What are the 4 views of a traditional FAST exam and what are they looking for

Answer 3

cardiac (subxiphoid) looking for tamponade (or RV problems); RUQ looking for fluid between kidney and liver (ie hepatorenal space or Morrison’s pouch), new effusion, or spine sign; LUQ subphrenic or splenorenal space; and bladder (males between bladder and prostate, females behind uterus aka pouch of douglas)

Question 4

Why is the spine sign unusual

Answer 4

the air in the lungs should distort the image but if there is fluid (ie effusion) then it will will transmit sound waves down to the spine