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Ultrasound imaging of forearm fractures in children: a viable alternative?
D Williamson1, R Watura, M Cobby
1Emergency Department, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. dom.w@cableinet.co.uk
Objective:
A pilot study to investigate whether ultrasonography can be reliably used to demonstrate uncomplicated greenstick and torus fractures in children.
Method:
Children between the ages of 2 and 14 years with a high clinical suspicion of a non-articular, undisplaced forearm fracture were included. Ultrasound imaging of the injury was performed by a consultant radiologist who gave an immediate report. Standard radiographs of the forearm were then obtained and the patient treated in the normal way. The radiograph was formally reported on at a later date.
Results:
26 patients were included. There was an absolute correlation between the ultrasound and radiographic findings. The procedure was well tolerated.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound seems effective for detecting uncomplicated forearm fractures in children. The procedure is easy to perform and the images easy to interpret. A larger study will now be undertaken to confirm these initial findings.