Bedside ultrasonography in the pediatric emergency department: the focused assessment with sonography in trauma examination uncovers an occult intra-abdominal tumor

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012 Oct;28(10):1107-11. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31826d1e86.

Abstract

We present a case of a 3-year-old male with history of minor trauma, who was brought in by ambulance from the playground where he had an acute mental status change and was noted to be hypotensive on initial evaluation. History and examination did not indicate a clear etiology of his symptoms. Point-of-care emergency ultrasonography revealed free fluid in the abdomen and expedited the care of the child's unexpected intra-abdominal hemorrhage from an occult abdominal tumor. This case demonstrates the ability of practitioners to expedite and focus care with the use of rapid assessment with ultrasonography in the pediatric emergency department.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abdominal Injuries / complications
  • Abdominal Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / complications
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergencies*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging*