Towards evidence based emergency medicine: best BETs from Manchester Royal Infirmary. Ultrasound or computed tomography in paediatric blunt abdominal trauma

Emerg Med J. 2002 Nov;19(6):554-6. doi: 10.1136/emj.19.6.554-a.

Abstract

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether computed tomography is superior to ultrasonography at identifying intra-abdominal injury in children. Altogether 123 papers were found using the reported search, of which six presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Decision Making
  • Humans
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging*