[The importance of sonography for the acute diagnosis of multiple trauma].

Sixty polytraumatised patients with blunt abdominal injuries were sonographically examined immediately after hospitalisation, between January 1985 and October 1988. Accumulation of free fluid in the abdominal cavity or organ injuries were directly recorded from 17 patients. Results obtained from examinations were falsely negative in three cases. The method, consequently, exhibited 0.85 in sensitivity, 1.0 in specificity, and 0.33 in prevalence. Ultrasonography is recommended as the first step to be taken for diagnosis, preceded only by clinical check-up and parallel shock therapy. It may be followed by peritoneal lavage, yet only in the event of dubious findings.