This article describes using an eFAST exam for a trauma patient, and describing the diagnostic accuracy for several different pathologies including pneumothorax and pericardial effusion. An eFAST includes the typical FAST views of right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, bladder and subxiphoid view of the heart, plus 8 lung fields. The authors came to the conclusion that the eFAST is highly sensitive and specific for these pathologies, but that the eFAST cannot be used to rule out a diagnosis, but only to rule in a diagnosis. A patient should still get a CT scan, as ultrasounds are not perfect in their diagnosis and may result in false- negative findings. I chose this article after seeing a patient present with chest pain in critical care, and an eFAST revealed presence of lung sliding so pneumothorax was lower on our differential. However, after a CT scan, a large left sided pneumothorax and numerous blebs were found and a chest tube was placed.
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