Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Blunt Chest Trauma: Diagnostic Performance and Clinical Relevance

Chest trauma is a leading cause of death and illness among trauma patients, accounting for a significant proportion of emergency department admissions. Therefore, the early identification of intrathoracic injuries is crucial to ensure effective treatment and reduce the risk of complications, particularly those affecting the heart and lungs. Complementary diagnostic methods, such as ultrasound, due to their non-invasive nature and ability to provide real-time imaging, are therefore essential for making informed decisions based on correctly identifying these complications. In this context, this study reviews the scientific literature on the role of ultrasound in assessing patients with blunt chest trauma. This review aims to emphasise the importance of ultrasound as a complementary diagnostic tool in optimising urgent and emergency care for patients with blunt chest trauma by comparing its advantages and limitations with those of other complementary diagnostic tools for the various blunt trauma consequences, such as pneumothorax, aortic rupture, pericardial effusion, pulmonary contusion, haemothorax and rib fracture.