Abdominal Ultrasound for Pediatric Blunt Trauma: FAST Is Not Always Better

The focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination is conducted to rapidly identify bleeding within the abdominal, pericardial, or intrathoracic spaces. The use of the FAST examination is not limited to trauma but is best described in studies involving adults who sustained blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. Here, Kessler discusses the interpretation of how FAST examinations effect clinical outcomes in children with blunt torso trauma.