Dectection of pneumothoraces in patients with multiple blunt trauma: use and limits of eFAST

Background: Trauma patients are commonly evaluated in the trauma room by extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST). Little is known about the location or size of these missed PTXs in trauma patients with multiple blunt trauma and clinical predictors for successful detection are unclear. Methods: This cross-sectional study includes all patients with multiple blunt trauma and PTX who were admitted to the emergency department of a level 1 trauma centre in Bern, Switzerland between June 1, 2012 and September 30, 2014 (n = 109). Demographic data, imaging modalities, medical data on admission and…