title: Diagnostic value of ultrasound in scaphoid fractures.
abstract: Diagnostic ultrasound was used in 103 patients with a clinically suspected fracture of the scaphoid bone in order to achieve an early diagnosis. There were 48 women and 55 men aged 10-75 years (mean 31.4 years) tested with ultrasound. Of the patients, 72 were tested within 3 days after injury the remainder between 4 and 42 days. Fracture was confirmed radiologically in 27. We found that the ultrasound test, applied with a frequency of 1 MHz and intensity of 0.5 W/cm2 and 2.0 W/cm2 for 30s, had a sensitivity of 37 per cent and a specificity of 61 per cent. We thus conclude that ultrasound is not suitable for early diagnosis of scaphoid fracture.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Herlev Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rude
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lauridsen
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography