Ultrasound EL: E-FAST

Question 1

E-FAST stands for

Answer 1

Extended Focused Assessment for Sonography in Trauma (E-FAST)

Question 2

Original FAST versus E-FAST

Answer 2

FAST detects fluid in abdomen/pelvis (peritoneal), thoracic (pleural), and pericardium (pericardial) spaces; E-FAST also looks for pneumothorax in both anterior chest spaces

Question 3

3 basic abdominal windows

Answer 3

(1) RUQ/hepatorenal/Morison’s Pouch (2) LUQ/splenorenal (3) Suprapubic (or retrovesical)

Question 4

Spine sign

Answer 4

Fluid above diaphragm indicating possible hemothorax (when imaging RUQ and LUQ the area above the diaphragm should be imaged to determine if there is fluid above diaphragm); FYI - Spine sign is thoracic sign being seen above diaphragm

Question 5

Appearance of fluid on ultrasound

Answer 5

Anechoic (black) area

Question 6

Volume of peritoneal fluid for which FAST exam is sensitive

Answer 6

250-500 cc

Question 7

Describe specificity of FAST exam

Answer 7

Very specific for free fluid

Question 8

FAST should NOT be used to rule out which conditions

Answer 8

NOT be used to rule out parenchymal or bowel injuries

Question 9

How to consider pericardial effusion as a result of blunt trauma is

Answer 9

Exceedingly rare and should be interpreted with caution - typically either incidental findings or fatty tissue