- Thoracic radiography and TFAST exams are useful adjunct procedures, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of pneumothorax, hemothorax, pleural effusion, pulmonary contusions, or pulmonary edema. Radiography is also appropriate for documentation of correct thoracostomy tube placement.
- Perform thoracic radiography on every traumatized MWD, if available, even if there is no clinical evidence of thoracic trauma. A significant number of trauma patients without outward evidence of chest trauma have hidden trauma that may manifest later, complicate management, or worsen with treatment of other conditions.
- TFAST should be performed on every MWD that presents with a history of trauma, if the HCP has significant experience in its use; TFAST requires a high degree of experience to optimize diagnostic reliability. As with human casualties, TFAST is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of pneumothorax and pulmonary parenchymal fluid, and for rapidly evaluating for pericardial and pleural effusions.4 Figure 27 shows the imaging locations for TFAST in the dog. Figure 28 describes a clinical management algorithm for the use of TFAST in dogs.

Figure 27. Imaging Locations for TFAST.4

Figure 27 shows the ultrasound probe locations for TFAST in the dog.