title: Comparison of thoracic ultrasound, clinical acumen, and radiography in patients with minor chest injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to compare ultrasonography, clinical findings, and radiography in the detection of rib and sternal fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 88 patients presenting consecutively to an emergency department with isolated blunt chest injury of mild to moderate force were recruited.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasonography yielded a sensitivity of 80.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.5-88.5) for detecting chest wall fractures compared with sensitivities of 26.0 (95% CI, 15.8-36.3) for clinical acumen and 23.7 (95% CI, 14.7-34.8) for radiography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early ultrasonography is more accurate than clinical and radiologic evaluation at detecting rib and sternal fractures.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. rainer1091@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Timothy H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Rainer
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Peggo K W
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Constantine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Metreweli
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography