FOCUSED ASSESSMENT WITH SONOGRAPHY FOR TRAUMA (FAST) IN CHILDREN
NARRATIVE REVIEW
Keywords:
FAST, PEDIATRIC TRAUMA, ULTRASOUND, DIAGNOSIS BY IMAGEAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) is a protocol used for rapid assessment and triage of trauma patients, with objective to evaluate the pericardium in search of hemopericardium and tamponade, in addition to the presence of free peritoneal fluid (LLP). To carry out the protocol, four windows must be analyzed: pericardial, hepatorenal, splenorenal, and suprapubic. In the pediatric context, FAST is a tool that allows to extend the physical examination findings in the pediatric emergency, evidence also points out that the method is capable of identifying even small amounts of blood in the abdominal cavity of children who have suffered trauma, allowing a better understanding of the severity of the lesion in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To review, identify and describe ultrasound findings in pediatric patients during the FAST protocol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a narrative review with an emphasis on the collection of images in articles published in the last 10 years. The databases were MEDLINE via PubMed, LILACS via BIREME, Scielo and Google Scholar. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Once the correct execution and consideration of age-related anatomical characteristics are considered, the FAST Protocol presents itself as a beneficial diagnostic method in the pediatric setting. The diagnosis of free fluid is identified by the perception of an anechoic image in the peritoneal and pericardial cavity on examination. CONCLUSION: FAST is a valuable screening tool in the context of trauma, allowing the rapid identification of findings such as hemopericardium, tamponade and free peritoneal fluid arising from a wide range of mechanisms involved in trauma.