The eFAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) scan is a quick bedside ultrasound used to check trauma patients for serious conditions like internal bleeding and lung injuries.
It is an extension of the FAST scan, which is primarily used to detect free fluid (usually blood) in the abdominal cavity.
The eFAST scan adds the assessment of the chest for pneumothorax and hemothorax.
It helps guide immediate medical or surgical interventions, potentially improving patient outcomes in trauma situations.
Advantages of eFAST-
- Non invasive
- Bedside and rapid (within 2–3 minutes)
- No radiation
- Can be repeated serially
Disadvantage of eFAST-
- Operator dependent
- Will not reliably detect <100 mL of free blood
- Does not directly identify injury to hollow viscus (e.g. Bowel injury)
- Cannot reliably exclude injury in penetrating trauma
- It is unreliable for assessment of retropertoneum injury / bleeding (e.g. Kidney injury)
|
Region |
Purpose |
Findings |
|
Pericardial (subxiphoid or parasternal) |
Check for pericardial effusion |
Cardiac tamponade |
|
Pleural spaces (bilateral) |
Detect hemothorax |
Fluid above diaphragm |
|
Anterior thorax (bilateral) |
Detect pneumothorax |
Absence of lung sliding (barcode sign) |
|
Right upper quadrant (RUQ - Morrison's pouch) |
Look for hepatorenal fluid |
Hemoperitoneum |
|
Left upper quadrant (LUQ - Splenorenal pouch) |
Look for splenorenal fluid |
Hemoperitoneum |
|
Pelvis (pouch of Douglas or rectovesical pouch) |
Check for pelvic fluid |
Hemoperitoneum |