[Sonographic findings in trauma-induced liver injuries]

In 12 of 49 patients operated on for liver injuries we performed sonographic examination of the abdomen on admission to hospital within the framework of emergency diagnostics. The most sensitive finding was the identification of the presence of intraabdominal free fluid. The liver injury itself was sonographically diagnosed in only 5 patients. Sonographically, an additional injury of the spleen was found in 2 of 3 patients; in one patient it was possible to detect an injury of the kidney.