Ultrasound in Elbow Fractures.

Avci et al published in the American Journal of EmergencyMedicine findings of their study of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and computed tomography (CT) for patients presenting with elbow injuries in emergency departments. 

The authors examined 49 patients aged 5 to 65 years, who had at least 1 fracture of the elbow joint bones, and underwent CT scanning in emergency room. Patients were first evaluated with direct radiography, and then with POCUS by trained emergency physicians. Emergency physicians made treatment decisions based on the ultrasonography results. Then, CT scans were performed and were interpreted by radiologists. Orthopedic surgeons made treatment decisions based on the CT interpretations.

Of the 49 patients with elbow injury were included in the study 18 (37%) were women, and 31 (63%) were men. Compared with CT, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of POCUS in fracture detection were 97%, 88%, 94%, and 93%, respectively. Although the sensitivity and specificity of POCUS in the decision for reduction were 95% and 100%, respectively, it was 93% and 100% in the decision for surgery.

The authors concluded that POCUS is effective in the diagnosis and management of elbow fractures when direct radiology is inconclusive and CT is required.