Comparison of ultrasonographic and computed tomographic measurements of gastric content and volume in emergency deparment patients

Background: Aspiration of gastric contents into the tracheobronchial tree is one of the most feared complications during anesthesia/sedo analgesia and endotracheal intubation. Although it is a rare condition in the elective anesthesia setting, the risk of aspiration is higher in emergency situations. Therefore, identification of a full stomach prior to endotracheal intubation and/or estimation of gastric contents can help determine the risk of respiratory aspiration. For this reason, it is aimed that emergency physicians can evaluate gastric content and volume, the risk of aspiration. Methods: This study is a prospective observational and diagnostic accuracy study performed between dates 01.10.2020-30.06.2021, 167 participants aged 18 and over who applied to the emergency department were included. The data were analyzed with SPSS 25.0 program and gastric USG and CT measurements were compared. In addition, cut-off value was determined in gastric antrum USG measurements in terms of aspiration risk. Results: In this study, in which ultrasonographic and computed tomographic measurements of gastric content and volume were compared in emergency deparment patients, it was observed that USG measurements of emergency physicians were correlated with CT measurements. In addition, content estimates and aspiration risks assessments were also found to be correlated with CT results. Conclusions: In this study, in which ultrasonographic and computed tomographic measurements of gastric content and volume were compared in emergency room patients, it was observed that USG measurements, content estimates, and aspiration risk assessments of emergency physicians were correlated with CT measurements. Emergency deparment physicians may use ultrasound to assess gastric content and volume.