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Ultrasonographic findings in pediatric fractures
Fatih Ekşioğlu1, Deniz Altinok, M Murad Uslu
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey.
Insights
Ultrasonography (US) effectively diagnoses pediatric fractures. Key findings like subperiosteal hematoma, bending sign, cortical disruption, and reverberating echo confirm fracture types in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pediatric fractures require accurate diagnostic methods.
- Ultrasonography (US) offers a non-invasive imaging modality.
- Differentiating fracture types in children can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze ultrasonographic (US) findings in various pediatric fractures.
- To correlate US findings with fracture classifications (complete vs. incomplete).
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of US in pediatric fracture assessment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 39 pediatric patients (age 1-14 years) with fractures.
- Classification of fractures into complete or incomplete types (including greenstick, torus, and plastic deformation).
- Assessment of specific US findings: subperiosteal hematoma, bending sign, cortical disruption, and reverberating echo.
Main Results:
- Subperiosteal hematoma was universally present in all fractures.
- The bending sign was exclusively observed in incomplete fractures.
- Cortical disruption and reverberating echo were present in both complete and greenstick fractures.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonography (US) is a reliable tool for diagnosing pediatric fractures.
- The combination of subperiosteal hematoma with other US signs (cortical disruption, bending sign, reverberating echo) confirms fracture diagnosis.
- US findings aid in differentiating complete from incomplete pediatric fractures.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to document and analyze ultrasonographic (US) findings in different types of pediatric fractures. Thirty-nine patients, aged between 1 and 14 years, with a fracture were included in the study. Patients were classified as complete or incomplete fractures. Greenstick fractures, torus fractures and plastic deformations were considered as incomplete fractures. Ultrasonographic findings (subperiosteal hematoma, bending, cortical disruption, and reverberating echo) were analysed for each type of fracture. Subperiosteal hematoma was present in all patients in the study. Bending sign was present in all patients in the incomplete fracture group, but not present in complete fractures. Cortical disruption and reverberating echo were present in all patients with complete and greenstick fractures. In conclusion, whether the fracture is complete or incomplete, subperiosteal hematoma, together with a cortical disruption, bending sign, or reverberating echo shown on US can confirm the fracture diagnosis in children.