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Updated: May 25, 2026

Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) Exam: Image Acquisition
Published on: September 22, 2023
Imaging of trauma in a pregnant patient
Ajay Puri1, Paryssa Khadem, Salman Ahmed
1Department of Radiology, Tufts School of Medicine, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199, USA. ajay.puri@bhs.org
Trauma is the number one nonobstetric cause of maternal death. This chapter presents the latest consensus from the literature on the best approach to radiographic imaging of these patients. The central issues of discussion include the rationale and protocols for screening for pregnancy in trauma setting; the effects of radiation and its risks to the fetus; obtaining informed consent; how to estimate fetal dose; and the role of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, including the intravenous contrast agents used for the assessment of abdominal trauma. The team approach to the management of these patients is also highlighted.
Trauma is the number one nonobstetric cause of maternal death. This chapter presents the latest consensus from the literature on the best approach to radiographic imaging of these patients. The central issues of discussion include the rationale and protocols for screening for pregnancy in trauma setting; the effects of radiation and its risks to the fetus; obtaining informed consent; how to estimate fetal dose; and the role of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, including the intravenous contrast agents used for the assessment of abdominal trauma. The team approach to the management of these patients is also highlighted.
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