Radiologic triage of the multiply-injured patient

Integration of the principles of triage in the radiographic assessment of the trauma victim should allow efficient and timely diagnosis of most serious injuries. Use of the portable apparatus is stressed as the initial approach, but caution must be exercised in the exclusion of significant injuries by this method. Careful reading of additional information on films taken for a primary reason may allow the early diagnosis of associated problems (e.g., evaluating the upper airway on cervical spine views and the diaphragms on a chest film). Close cooperation between the emergency physician and radiologist is important in order to obtain the highest diagnostic accuracy in caring for victims of multiple trauma.